Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini feels David Silva is playing as well as anyone on the planet.
Mancini is baffled that Barcelona and Real Madrid overlooked the gifted midfielder, signed from Valencia in 2010, who has played a dominant role in the club's 100% start to the season.
Mancini said: "Silva is a top, top player. I don't know why he didn't go to Barca or Real Madrid because he's Spanish but we are lucky because he's here.
"If he had gone to Barca two years ago everyone would say he's one of the best players in the world - and he is one of the best players in the world.
"He's different from Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo because they are strikers and score a lot of goals but I think he's the same as Xavi and Iniesta."
