David Silva on son's premature birth: You can't 100 percent concentrate on your job

The 2017/18 season was an excellent one for Manchester City as a club, but a very distressing one for David Silva as his son Mateo was born prematurely.

The Spaniard was allowed time off to be with his family at that troubling time and he has now opened up about the experience and about the difficulty in focusing on football.

"They were very hard times, the toughest months of my life," he explained in an interview with The Sun.

"It was really tough outside the pitch rather than inside, especially with my son's illness.

"I came to Spain and spoke to the doctors and they had different answers, so we didn't know what was going to happen tomorrow.

"It was the fear of the unknown.

"Everything was OK, but they said in a week's time they didn't know.

"It scared me to death.

"When you are travelling abroad to see your family you can't be 100 percent concentrated on your job or profession with a problem like this.

"The travelling to and from Spain was a very difficult time."

Silva was pleased to state that his son is currently much healthier and he explained that this situation has given him some extra perspective.

"Mateo is very good at the moment and thank God everything is OK now," the midfielder said.

"I have to keep an eye on him all the time.

"The doctors are doing different tests, but fingers crossed everything is OK.

"I am very happy and I will be 100 percent ready for the new season.

"It has changed my way of thinking a lot in life.

"Now my priority has changed completely towards my family life, but it hasn't changed the way I look at football.

"If you have any problems or when you are feeling a little bit down, then look at that.

"My son has gone through a bad time, but it helps me that he is going to be stronger again."

Manchester City are currently on their pre-season tour, ahead of their season-opening Community Shield match against Chelsea.