Sylvinho insists it will be a major achievement if Manchester City hold onto fourth place and qualify for next season's Champions League.
The Eastlands club have been the biggest spenders in the top flight for the last couple of seasons following the Abu Dhabi United Group's takeover in 2008.
Robinho, Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez, Craig Bellamy, Kolo Toure, Joleon Lescott, Wayne Bridge, Gareth Barry and Roque Santa Cruz have all arrived in big-money moves, with expectations duly rocketing.
Manager Mark Hughes was dismissed in December and replaced by Roberto Mancini, despite City having lost only twice in the league at the time.
With six games to go, Mancini's side lie fourth, a point ahead of Tottenham and four clear of Liverpool.
Sylvinho said: "When you talk about the top four in the Premier League, people are used to seeing four teams, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool.
"It doesn't matter if you spend a lot of money, it's difficult to get in the top four. We are nearly there and the next six games we're going to see how it goes.
"We've got a good chance. We're working very hard and the next result is really important."
The 35-year-old left-back, who joined City from Barcelona in the summer, added: "It's exciting to be part of this project. It's not easy because you're talking about one of the hardest leagues in the world.
"Every single player is excited and working so hard. It's going to be hard, we've got some difficult games, but the good news is last weekend was a good result and we finished the weekend in the top four so that gives everyone confidence."
The sudden transformation in City's finances has brought added pressure but Sylvinho insists that has not been an issue for the players.
"You are used to working under pressure and we know the first step is to be in the top four," he said. "Everybody knows that. (Owner) Sheikh Mansour has spent a lot of money to help the club so you are prepared for it."
City climbed back into the Champions League places courtesy of a 6-1 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.
The visitors were four up inside 20 minutes and five ahead at half-time before torrential rain took its toll on the playing surface.
Sylvinho added: "It was amazing, this kind of result is not normal for the Premier League. Tactically it was so good, we created a lot of chances. It was an unbelievable first half, which was a good job because in the second half we couldn't play."
City have been without record signing Robinho since he returned to Brazil to join Santos on loan in January.
The 26-year-old had cut a frustrated figure in his final months at Eastlands and Sylvinho conceded it is unlikely his countryman will return to Manchester.
He said: "I don't know (if he'll come back). I think his mentality is in Santos now and after that he's going to be at the World Cup and I wish luck to him and the national team. The future is really difficult to say."
Sylvinho also revealed he does not know what the future holds for him, with his contract at City due to run out at the end of the season.
"I have no idea," he said. "At the moment it's important to keep the focus on the last six games."
