The Spanish striker was one of the high-profile big-money moves conducted by Manchester City over the summer but he has failed to set the Premier League alight thus far.

His most impressive City performance came in Thursday evening’s Europa League win against Salzburg in Austria and the club clearly feel that Silva has an influential role to play at Eastlands this season.

Barry agrees with this view and points to mitigating circumstances as to why Silva has not yet found his form.

He said: “Any criticism of David is unfair because we all know the quality he has.

“He was always going to take time to settle because he has come into the Premier League from a completely different type of football.

“Against Salzburg he only showed small glimpses of what he can do. We know he will get better.”

Silva was one of Spain’s star players as they won the World Cup in South Africa over the summer. This meant that his season did not finish until the middle of July and he did not start training with City until the beginning of August.

Added to this was that he was required to go on draining trips to Mexico and Argentina. This means that there are clearly good reasons why Silva has yet to find his feet.

The man himself is confident he will succeed in the Premier League but Barry has been quick to point out that a timescale should not be put on his acclimatisation.

“The more he plays the more he will improve,” he continued.

“We know his qualities from training with him every day.

“But he is still adapting. The more time he spends in England and around our players, the better he will become.

“Sometimes it takes a player a season to settle before you see the best of them, but in the end I am confident his will be obvious to everyone.”

Manchester City have had a poor start to the season when compared to their lofty aspirations. They have only won one game so far in the Premier League and come into Sunday’s clash against Wigan on the back of a defeat to Sunderland and a draw against Blackburn.

Some have cited that the team has failed to gel and Roberto Mancini has pointed to six pivotal games which will influence their season.

The first was against Salzburg – a game which they won – and the second is the clash at the DW Stadium. City’s stars know that they will need to start performing soon if they are to realise their minimum aim of qualifying for the Champions League this season.

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Valencia

Silva is looking for a move to the Premier League as Valencia are struggling financially and will look to cash in on the player.

Negotiations between City and the Spanish club were thought to be ongoing with a potential £28m move on the cards.

However, Premier League champions Chelsea could hijack the move as they look for a replacement for Joe Cole who will leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

Silva’s agent Julio Llorente has stated that the west London club have declared their interest in the winger.

He said: “We’re weighing up offers from three clubs and one is Chelsea.

“If Silva doesn’t want to go to City, the transfer isn’t possible,” he added.

Valencia’s deputy chairman Javier Gomez has stated that the Eastlands club were talking with the winger but that no firm deal had been made.

He said: “As has been said, there is interest from Manchester City and we have permitted them to talk to the player, but we have reached no agreement and we have not talked about a fee.”

Silva is currently with the Spanish World Cup squad as they prepare for their final Group H game against Chile on Friday.

The 24-year-old featured in the pre-tournament favourite’s first game – a shock defeat against Switzerland, a match in which they dominated.

However, Silva did not play against Honduras and will now be battling with the likes of club team-mate Juan Manuel Mata who came on and impressed in Spain’s (11/2 to win the World Cup) second group game.

Mata has been linked with a move to Barcelona and Valencia look likely to sell as the cash strapped club look to lower their wage bill.

If this move goes through it will be the second deal between the two clubs in a month after fellow Spaniard David Villa (7/2 to be top goalscorer at the World Cup) moved to the Catalan giants.

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Silva could be sold by his Spanish club who are currently strapped for cash and look likely to sell the creative midfielder.

Valencia have already cashed in on David Villa who moved to La Liga champions Barcelona and Silva could be on the move the Premier League’s top team.

The 24-year old has been linked with both Manchester City and United but has revealed that he would be keen on a move to West London.

He said: “Chelsea have established themselves as one of the best clubs in Europe over the last five years.

“They might not have the history of Real Madrid or AC Milan but they are creating their own history now. There is no reason why in the future Chelsea can’t be as decorated as Real Madrid.

“Chelsea probably have, along with Barcelona, the best squad in football and if any player joins Chelsea he knows he is going to win things,” he added.

Silva is currently with the Spain (9/2 to win the World Cup) squad ahead of their second game of the World Cup against Honduras on Monday.

The pre-tournament favourites suffered a shock defeat to Switzerland in Group H and will be looking to bounce back in their next match.

Silva featured in the defeat against the Swiss in a match the 2008 European champions dominated.

However, the player seems to have one eye on his club future after the tournament in South Africa and Chelsea seems a likely employer for the Spaniard.

He said: “In players like John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba they have players who would get into any team in the world and it would be a pleasure to play with them.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Chelsea would be a great club to play for – and a club where I could fulfil my ambition of league titles and the European Cup.

The Blues had a successful season after they won the Premier League and FA Cup to complete their first domestic double in their 105 year history.

However they will be looking to make a few more signings as they look to push for that elusive Champions League title.

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Fabregas has been strongly linked with a return to the club where he started his career as a youngster.

However, Silva, who spent six years at the Emirates before moving to Greek side Panathinaikos, believes the Arsenal captain should stay at the Gunners.

He said: “I hope he stays. He is a big person and must ask himself and think very carefully if he has to go or not.”

“But of course the final decision (is something) he has to do. In case this situation happens, it will be a big blow for Arsenal. But let’s wait and see,” he added.

Barcelona have already had a £30m bid turned down for the Fabregas but have stated that they will continue their efforts to sign the player during this summer’s World Cup.

The 23-year-old is currently preparing for Spain’s opening game of the tournament, which is against Switzerland on June 16.

Fabregas will be looking to feature in the starting line up for a side that are seen as one of the favourites to lift the World Cup on July 11.

Spain (18/5 to win the World Cup) have been bolstered by the return of Fabregas who fractured his fibula playing in the Champions League against Barcelona.

Liverpool’s Fernando Torres has also returned from injury however Andres Iniesta could miss out on the opener against the Swiss after picking up a leg injury against Poland.

Fabregas featured for the first time since the injury against South Korea and came close to hitting the back of the net after hitting the crossbar in a match the Spanish won 1-0.

Former team-mate Silva is also preparing for the World Cup with another side who are tipped to well in the tournament in South Africa.

Brazil face Group G minnows North Korea in their opening game and will look to put their stamp on the competition. The 33-year-old believes the Samba boys can live up to the expectations that they face before every World Cup.

He said: “Of course, in our squad everyone is happy to be here and to represent our country.

“But we know our responsibility in the game and what it means to all of us what it means to wear this shirt.”

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