MANCHESTER -- Manuel Pellegrini has denied players have to leave Manchester City to get individual recognition, and insisted they stand a chance of winning the Champions League while at the Etihad Stadium.
The City manager stated this week that he thought David Silva would receive more plaudits if he played for Real Madrid or Barcelona.
The last six trophies have been won by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, while playing for Spain's two wealthiest clubs.
But while Silva and Sergio Aguero have both been linked with transfers to the Bernabeu during their City careers, Pellegrini insists they will not be best served by moving.
"No, I don't think so," he said in a news conference on Friday. "We need to win important trophies and that way our top players will be on the list of the best players of the year.
"Our club must improve and grow every year, winning important titles and of course the players will be more important."
City have never reached the last eight of the Champions League but Pellegrini believes they can conquer Europe.
"I think so," he added. "The way [we] are growing and we will continue improving with this squad and bringing in new players. Of course, I think we have chances to continue winning important things.
"Maybe we do not have the whole history of Real Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester United but that is part of the reason this club tries to improve every year."
City have been accused of buying success but they are limited to a 49 million-pound net spend this year as part of their punishment for breaching Financial Fair Play regulations.
However Pellegrini rejects suggestions their success has come simply from spending, adding: "I don't think this club or this team is just money. It's not money. We played very well last year when we won the two titles and I hope this year, if we can continue playing like we are, we will continue winning trophies."