David Silva vs Paul Ince: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Spain (born 1986, retired 2023) · Central Midfielder, England (born 1967, retired 2006)
Ask any fan to rank David Silva above or below Paul Ince and you will get a passionate answer. Trophies, more than goals, are how most supporters ultimately remember a career. Across his senior career David Silva notched 124 goals in 771 appearances (0.16 per game), while Paul Ince recorded 90 in 650 (0.14 per game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — David Silva is listed at 0 and Paul Ince at 60 where figures survive. In major honours David Silva collected 9 — headlined by 1× FIFA World Cup (2010) — whereas Paul Ince amassed 4, led by 2× Premier League (1993, 1994). One lifted trophies through creative reliability, the other through silky moments that decided finals. Their routes to the top were distinct: David Silva built his reputation across Valencia, Manchester City, Real Sociedad, peaking around 2012, while Paul Ince reached his defining level around 1994 after spells with West Ham United, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Swindon Town. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
187 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
David Josué Jiménez Silva (born 8 January 1986) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played mainly as a central or an attacking midfielder and occasionally as a winger or second striker. Widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation and among the greatest players in Premier League history, he was known for his balance, ball control and agility in close spaces, combined with his skill, composure, passing and flair on the ball. Silva spent seven years of his professional career with Valencia, playing from 2004 to 2010, and won the Copa del Rey in 2008.
“A pocket-sized conductor whose close control and passing gave Manchester City its early rhythm.”
The first Black player to captain England, Ince was a combative, driving midfielder at the heart of Manchester United's early Premier League dominance.
“An aggressive, all-action midfielder whose tackling and late runs into the box made him a formidable box-to-box presence.”
Head-to-head stats
Career goals by season
Representative career seasons — goals per season for each player across their documented clubs.
Attribute radar
Attribute ratings are peak-era, 0–100. Different positions naturally skew the profile.
Attribute comparison
Trophy breakdown
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2010)
- 2× Premier League (1993, 1994)
- 2× FA Cup (1990, 1994)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2004 Established himself at Valencia
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2023 Retired from professional football
- 1986 Professional debut for West Ham United
- 1993 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 1990 Won FA Cup with Manchester United
- 1994 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at Swindon Town
- Finished his career with 90 goals in 650 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 90 goals in 650 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, David Silva takes the verdict — a decisive margin, driven by a weightier trophy cabinet.
David Silva edges it (a decisive margin)
