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David Silva admits he did not want to leave Valencia

David Silva is enjoying life in England © PA Photos

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Manchester City midfielder David Silva says he only decided to leave Valencia last summer in order to help ease the club's financial problems.

Silva left the Mestalla for €27 million along with star striker David Villa, who was sold to Barcelona for a fee of €40 million, in order to pay off some of the club's reported €550 million debt.

Now the Spain winger maintains that he would never have left the club if they had not needed to cash in on his talent.

''Why did I leave Valencia? Because the club needed me to,'' he said. ''I was happy there and wouldn't have left, but the situation the club was in demanded it.

"It was a big injection of money and it was good for them. My life has always gone step by step. It was time to take the next one. City showed a great interest and I wanted to settle it quickly. It was a very interesting offer, a good club, and I didn't have to think too much."

Having made the move to Eastlands, he admits he has struggled a little with the English climate but is enjoying his life in the country.

"The tranquillity is incredible, and the passion with which they live football," he said. "It's wonderful. British people are very fun. In the beginning, I only spoke with the Latin players and with Yaya Toure, who spoke Spanish, but now I'm better with the language and I get along really well with the English, with everyone."

Silva lost his place in the first XI of the national team as Spain won the 2010 World Cup but says that he is perfectly happy to just be a part of the squad.

"I don't ask when I play and I don't do it when I don't play," he said. "I'm happy with being able to come to the national team, which I do with the greatest joy. It's a reward and I always hope to play, but there is a lot of competition and I understand if the coach prefers someone else.

"I've played in 45 games and I started many times. I'm content. I've felt important since I was called up. I feel that I participated in the successes of the team and I've scored many goals.

"I'm content because I have the feeling that when I've had the opportunity to play, I've contributed things. And I hope to continue like this."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.