Xavi, Iniesta and David Villa give their verdicts on former teammate David Silva

David Silva has been described as one of the best players to have ever played the game … by no less than legend Andres Iniesta.

Believed to be the best Premier League player of the last decade by many good judges, Silva is now featuring in a new documentary about his life and times at Manchester City.

And some of the greats who shared a pitch with him at international level have opened up about what makes him special.

Barcelona legend David Villa says that Silva was one of the players who, along with Xavi and Iniesta proved that you could win a World Cup, and two European Championships, without having physical specimens in midfield.

“I've been able to enjoy playing alongside him for many years at Valencia and for Spain,” said the striker, who retired earlier this month.

“He's the kind of player that with the ball at his feet, a striker knows the killer pass could come at any second. A terrifying talent for a striker like myself to have behind them.

“We showed the world that you can win with technique in midfield, you don't need physical players. With Xavi, Iniesta and Silva we went through that generational change.

“He lifts everyone's performance on the pitch, and that's a huge talent to have.”

Silva proved his quality by holding his own in that Spain midfield, despite slotting in with Barcelona aces Xavi and Iniesta, and having been rejected by Real Madrid for being too small and by Barca for not scoring enough goals.

Iniesta said: “He pulls the strings on the pitch. A brilliant footballer with great movement, he can score, assist, a player who decides a game.

“He's got so much to his game, that I would consider him one of the best ever.”

Xavi was equally fulsome in his praise: “He's a spectacular footballer. He has been throughout his career. For the national team he has been a cornerstone of that generation of highly talented Spanish footballers.

“David was a vital component and absolutely essential to that team.

“David Silva is one of the most talented players Spain has ever produced, without a shadow of a doubt.”