David Silva says a prayer every night to win the Champions League with Manchester City and reckons they could finally be answered for the Premier League leaders this season.

The Spain star has a glittering CV of successes including the World Cup and two European Championships with his country and two Premier League titles and three cups with City.

Yet the midfield playmaker, now 31, has never tasted European club victory with his former club Valencia or in England since 2010.

He is set to be the only starter remaining tonight from Roberto Mancini’s side which lost 2-1 against Napoli here in November 2011 when Mario Balotelli was on the scoresheet. City are now back in the same place but have come a long way in the intervening years.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and David Silva during the press conference (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

And before the Pep Guardiola’s side their biggest test in Europe this season at the home of the Serie A leaders, Silva insists the current top team in England have never been closer to winning their holy grail.

“It would be amazing,” he said. “I pray every night to win the Champions League with City. Hopefully we can win this year.”

Silva speaks with the same neat economy as he plays and like his passes, his words hit the spot.

Asked if this is the best football City have played since his arrival in England – and whether they were close to levels of Guardiola’s triumphant team from 2008-09 – Silva added: “Yes I think so. We are playing really good football, beautiful football, scoring so many goals and creating a lot of chances.”

Silva is in talks to extend his current deal which runs out in June 2019 for another year.

“I hope I can sign soon because I would love to be here and play for City 10 years,” he said.

Gareth Barry of West Bromwich Albion and David Silva of Manchester City clash (
Image:
Nigel Roddis)

The Spaniard has six assists already this season in his central role – joint highest with Kevin De Bruyne – and has created over 200 chances more than other player in Premier League history.

“I think it’s a good position for me,” he said. “I love to play in the middle and be in contact with the ball all the time. To create chances you have to be more involved in game so I’m very happy to play in that position.”

Speaking at the club’s luxurious waterfront hotel overlooking Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples, Guardiola revealed he had wanted to sign Silva for Barcelona but he was “too expensive”.

Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva react after beating Napoli at the Etihad (
Image:
AFP/Getty)

He added: “I believe that it’s impossible to play quite good if the ball doesn’t pass in the middle. There is a lot of risk because there is a chance for the opponents to counter attack.

"I always try to put in that position the players who can keep it as long as possible. David is a master at that.

“You see he’s shy here but when he goes on the pitch he’s a huge personality. He never takes a step back, always forward. He is a legend at this club.”

The City boss also continued his love-in with Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri.

“I really like playing against them,” said the former Barcelona boss. “It brings us to a higher level. Tomorrow will be a big test. It is a challenge. There’ll be moments to defend, moments when we suffer like never before and I’m going to see how we react.”