Bernardo Silva ‘one of the best in the world’, says Guardiola

Nicholas Hughes

• Updated: 27 Sept 2021 12:58 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has hailed Bernardo Silva as one of the best players on the planet as his future at the club remains uncertain.

The Portuguese star wanted out in the summer, but has resumed his place in the squad after failing to secure a move.

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Since arriving from Monaco in the summer of 2017, Silva has struggled for regular minutes at City – apart from a particularly successful 2018/19 season – and made only 26 appearances last term.

Speaking after City’s impressing away victory against Chelsea on Sunday, Guardiola said that if Silva does go, then he will be making his next club a great deal stronger.

“If, at the end, he wants to leave and decides to go, the only thing I can say is that the club that gets Bernardo is going to take one of the best players in the world,” he said.

“All I want is for Bernardo to be happy, here or anywhere. All I want is his happiness because he’s a guy that deserves the best.”

In that 2018/19 season, Silva played 36 Premier League games and registered seven goals and seven assists as Man City edged Liverpool in a thrilling title race.

That season was followed by international success with Portugal in the Nations League, and Guardiola said Silva was at the very top of the game at that time.

“I never forget the second Premier League we won, with 98 points, he was the best player in England. He was nominated for an award, but he was the best,” he said.

Is Bernardo Silva still set to leave Man City?

Silva has started the season with a return to that rich vein of form, featuring in five Premier League games and scoring a goal.

Guardiola’s comments would indicate that the 27-year-old is still looking for a move away from the Etihad, but with his future still up in the air, it is clear that Pep still views him as crucial to the side.