Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has paid special tribute to his midfield star David Silva.

The Spaniard revealed that he was a fan of Silva when he was Barcelona manager and the player was starring for Valencia, but couldn't sign him due to financial restrictions.

Silva joined City ahead of Guardiola's former club Barcelona from Valencia for £24million in 2010.

He said: "I remember when I was at Barcelona in my first or second year and after we played Valencia their manager Unai Emery, now the Paris St Germain trainer, told me, 'David Silva is the player for you, for Barcelona.

"Believe me, that is a player for Barcelona by far'. And he was so right. He's a special player.

"Why didn't I sign him? Because he was so expensive. So expensive! When I say I'm a lucky guy, it's because I was with Xavi, Iniesta and now with Silva. All three are outstanding players."

"Normally the qualities people talk about to play here is physical strength and speed and Silva can be a bit out of that idea," he added. "But he has adapted his game to English football and he deserves big congratulations for what he has achieved here. It's not easy to play 300 games at this level.

"I always said he had to score more goals because if Silva scored more goals you cannot imagine what he would have been because he has absolutely everything else – the quality, the mentality, and a great competitor."