Pep Guardiola insists he wants Bernardo Silva to stay at Manchester City but admits the decision is out of his control amid interest from Barcelona.
Portugal international Silva played an integral part in City’s Premier League title defense last season despite being linked with a move to the Nou Camp last summer.
Speculation has resurfaced this summer and Guardiola admits he is in the dark about Silva’s future at the club following the departures of Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko away from the Etihad Stadium.
“I was comfortable working with Oleks [Zinchenko], Gabriel [Jesus] and Raheem [Sterling] for three incredible years, [they were] incredible characters who helped us achieve,” said the City boss.
“But, in the end, sometimes the club, sometimes the player, sometimes the agent, many reasons, sometimes you have to share our path.
“I have said many times that the player’s desire is the most important thing; I want happy people here trying to do it together. Of course, I would love it if Bernardo continued here, he is a special player in the dressing room. for me, but I don’t know what’s going to happen.
“What’s going to happen will happen and if he stays it’s perfect, and if he has to leave because football is like this, the clubs have a contract, the player has wishes, and I am not the person to stop the desire for people.
“When you’re a football player it’s short, you don’t realize it, immediately it’s over. I don’t want to stop a player’s desire but, at the same time, only a small part of’ I am the club. , you have to talk to the club, I have never been part of that, and what the club decides for me is right.”
Guardiola reiterated his stance on Silva’s future when pressed on his uncertain response, adding: “I want the best for the players, but I want Bernardo to stay, definitely, 100 per cent, I want him to stay here .
“But, at the same time, if you want to leave and get an offer and the clubs have an agreement, it’s common sense what I said, it’s nothing special, this is the reality.
“He’s an important player for me, Bernardo is special. I don’t know what’s going to happen. As far as Manchester City know, we didn’t get any offer, last season either, this is the this I can say. Bernardo is ready, he’s training very well, he’s ready for Sunday and that’s all.”
Sunday 7 August 4:00pm
Kick off 4:30pm
City open their title defense away at West Ham on Super Sunday – live on Sky Sports Premier League – but have yet to bring in a replacement for left-back Zinchenko, who joined Arsenal this summer.
Chelsea look set to beat the champions to the signing of Brighton defender Marc Cucurella, and Guardiola was unable to provide an update on City’s pursuit of alternative defensive targets.
“Nothing special,” he added. “It’s the same. We’ll see. We still have many days until the end of the month. We’ll see.
Super Silva
“There are many players around the world and many of them can fit in perfectly as we are as a team, but at the same time transfers are always difficult. Read also : 13 Funny Moments In Video Games we had to share.
“Selling is harder than buying at the same time. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. It can be possible, it can’t be possible.”
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Guardiola summed up his appreciation of Silva late last year: “He is the best. He has a special ability to do whatever he wants with the ball.”
The Portuguese was enjoying a purple patch in front of goal at the time, but the 27-year-old offers so much more than attacking abilities – but let’s start there.
Silva came second at City for goals from open play, creating chances, completing passes in the final third and attempting to dribble in the Premier League last season.
His shot map below reveals an ability to find space and finish from great positions just outside the six yard box, as well as finding the back of the net from acute angles.
Meanwhile, his chance-created map epitomizes the variety of his passing range and positional versatility.
Silva patrols the entire attacking third, whether deployed down the left or right, but it is his defensive action zone below that underlines defensive contributions, pure attention on the pitch and work rate.
Man City in profit
The midfielder ran further than any other player at the club last season, clocking 381km over the league campaign – the equivalent of nine marathons. On the same subject : New Art Walks App Offers Tours of Artworks Around Columbus.
In fact, only six players in the entire division ran further, and it’s worth noting that Guardiola rotates players more than most managers.
Taking all positions into account, Silva was also third at the club across a host of defensive metrics: tackling, winning tackles and regaining possession in the central third. In short, Silva excels in all aspects of the game.
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The main additions paint a skewed picture: the acquisitions of Erling Haaland and Kalvin Phillips would suggest another blockbuster transfer window at City. See the article : My favorite video games, like Pokémon Legends: Arceus, make me run away.
However, the club have offloaded Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling, Oleksandr Zinchenko and a host of youngsters for fees – resulting in a net profit of £61.7m so far.
