In an exclusive interview with Guillem Balague for Sky Sports Revista de la Liga, Spanish international David Silva give us the lowdown on La Liga, the Premier League and life in Valencia...

Guillem:       It`s been a difficult season for Valencia, particularly now in terms of injuries; but you`ve overcome those problems with a good squad, a good technical staff...

Silva :        We`ve a lot of players missing, but the team has kept progressing, despite those injuries. I think we`ve got a great squad and the team has taken a step forward.

Guillem:      One thing you`ve managed to do is to mentally disconnect from the problems at the club from the uncertainty over the future, as it looks like we`re going to be seeing a very different Valencia next season....

Silva :        There have been a lot of problems over the last few years, speculation over whether I`m staying or other players are staying or not; it all has an influence. The truth is that`s it`s been much calmer this season and that`s made it a lot more comfortable to get on with the job.

Guillem:       Aside from that; it`s a world cup year and you`re obviously thinking about being in good physical shape for that, as well as excited about the future...

Silva :        Fingers crossed all goes well between now and the end of the season; I`m hoping to go to the world cup in good physical shape and be lucky enough to enjoy a great tournament.

Guillem:      Unai Emery says that you can find other players like David Villa, but nobody quite like Silva; what do you say to that?

Silva :        No. Well, the boss sees us every day, he sees the qualities that each one of us has; he knows that `el guaje` (Villa) is the type of goalscorer of which there are very few in world football. With regards to me, I play really well between the lines, and I guess you don`t find many players like that; but I don`t think it`s about the merits of one player compared to the other.  

Guillem:       What about your evolution as a player; in what phase of your career do you see yourself: what are you lacking?

Silva :        I think I`m still young and I think I can still improve upon a lot of aspects; which I`m achieving bit by bit. And I`m hoping to improve. I think I`m still lacking a little maturity, but over time, bit by bit, I`ll find that.

Guillem:       Let us in on a secret; what`s missing? Do you need to learn to read the game better, be more physical...?

Silva :        No I think that I`ve always been lucky to be able to read a game. I think I`ve had more scoring opportunities this season than in other years and I think I need to improve my finishing. Goalscoring is not a bad aspect to add to my game, and I`d like to improve upon that area.

Guillem:      Cesc Fabregas has been converted into a goalscoring midfielder; is that something that the typical Spanish midfielder has been lacking, do you think that the rest should start scoring more goals?

Silva :        Well, I think it`s something that`s missing; but then it`s a different style of play between the Premier League and the Spanish. We have a lot more possession here, there it`s much more direct, and midfielders get into goalscoring positions more often. And of course, Cesc is a terrific goalscoring midfielder.

Guillem:      Do you think you`d be able to adapt to playing that kind of direct football; your game after all is all about possession and time on the ball...

Silva :        I don`t know, I honestly don`t. It`s an attractive style of football to watch, but as a player you just never know until you`ve experienced it. And in my case, the Spanish league is one of the most attractive leagues there is and right now I love Spanish football.

Guillem:      Do you envisage spending the rest of your career here in Spain, particularly when the other big Spanish clubs are also interested in you...

Silva:      Yes, It`s very much to my liking and I`m very happy here.

Guillem:       There`s been talk of Manchester United; Liverpool in the past. Is there anything to it?

Silva :        It`s a compliment if these teams are interested in me. But for me, it`s all about making sure things continue to go well, working well and this all acts extra motivation to keep working hard.

Guillem:      Valencia are third in the league, or first in that `second league` (runners up league), depending on which way you look at it. Is that how you see it, are Madrid and Barcelona un a league of their own?

Silva :        Barcelona and Madrid both strengthened really well and spent a lot of money. We just cannot do that because of the situation at the club; but we`re happy with our performance this season.

Guillem:      Are you - players and fans – conscious that we`ll be seeing a very different Valencia next season because of the need to sell?

Silva :        Well, that`s something for the president; all we can think about is trying to improve day by day, and finish as high as possible.

Guillem:      What`s this Valencia team lacking? What would it have taken for it to be the team that Unai Emery would have wanted?

Silva :        Well we are very strong on the counter-attack, at times as if we are playing from memory. But we need to be better with possession, sometimes teams will pack the defence and get men behind the ball and when they do we find it very hard to create space and open them up...

Guillem:      And that would be your role in the team...

Silva :        Yes, well, I`m involved in everything: Get the ball moving quickly, making defence splitting passes. But I think in terms of creating space that`s something the whole team must work at, and it is something that we are doing much more quickly and getting a lot better at.

Guillem:      Does it surprise you that, considering you are on top of that `second league` that the talk is of Unai Emery not getting a new contract: particularly when the team is clearly progressing...?

Silva :        Well, as I was saying before, these things aren`t really for me; I`ll I can say is that things are going well and that is something for the president to have his say on.
Guillem:      The Valencia fans are often criticised for being overly demanding, having unrealistic expectations; how do you see it?

Silva :        I think that they can be quite demanding; but that`s a good thing for everybody. It stops us from relaxing and ensures everyone gives 100 per cent all the time.

Guillem:      You`ve faced Messi on a few occasions; where do you see him now in terms of being considered one of the greats?

Silva :        Right now he is showing everyone that he is at an incredible level; for me, he is the number one.

Guillem:      I`m going to give you the names of 5-6 players, and ask you what quality you would love to emulate from each of them if you could: Starting with Messi...

Silva :         His pace with the ball...

Guillem:      Cristiano Ronaldo?

Silva :        Power.

Guillem:      Xavi?

Silva :        Vision.

Guillem:      Iniesta?

Silva :        His ability to pivot with the ball.