Silva joined City from Valencia in 2010, and has won the Premier League twice in the past five years while also helping Spain win the European championship in 2012.

But he has cut a frustrated figure in world football’s premier club competition. Despite spending millions and millions of pounds in the pursuit of happiness, City have come up woefully short in the Champions League, and have yet to go beyond the last 16 of the tournament.

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“I would see it as a failure (if I don’t win the Champions League at City). It is the one thing I want and one day I hope to win it," Silva said.

“It’s difficult playing against big teams like Barcelona, Bayern. But why? I cannot tell you.

“But with good, new players, for sure we will have an opportunity to be there fighting and maybe able to do it.

“Juventus reached the final last season, but they were really lucky with the draw. That is the way that the competition is, though.”

Manchester City in the Champions League

2011/2012 – Eliminated at group stage. Finished third behind Bayern Munich and Napoli

2012/2013 – Eliminated at group stage. Finished fourth behind Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Ajaz.

2013/2014 – Eliminated in last 16. Lost to Barcelona 4-1 on aggregate.

2014/2015 – Eliminated in last 16. Lost to Barcelona 3-1 on aggregate.

OUR VIEW

Plenty of players have come and gone on the City gravy train over the past eight years, but Silva is a figure who appears genuinely happy with his lot in England. "Football is my passion and I live for it,” he said. “In England, I do my job and I love my job. I would not complain about it." He seems genuinely unhappy that City have not made a more sustained assault on the Champions League, and whatever you think of City or their approach it would be harsh to wish a class act like Silva anything other than the best of luck in trying to fulfil this ambition.

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