World Cup 2018: Top 10 players who could win the Golden Ball

#7 David Silva

Spain's wizard

The thing is, Kevin De Bruyne might take most of the plaudits for his more apparent brilliance, but David Silva is the one that comes with the subtle wizardry to unlock the full potential of the Belgian.

With 11 assists and 9 goals from 30 league matches, the Spaniard helped Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City win its first Premier League title under the Catalan. It happened at a time when Silva had to battle the problems of his personal life as his baby was born prematurely and he had to be in Spain with his family for some part of the season.

And even then, when he was on the football pitch, he was a level above anyone on it in most cases.

In Spain’s team, he has to take up the mantle in the declination of Andres Iniesta – and he does have what it takes to do that.