Manchester City: why Bernardo Silva’s transfer didn’t work?
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that the Portugal international wants to leave before the end of the transfer window but time is running out to reach an agreement.
Seeing Bernardo Silva’s performance against Norwich City, no one expected that the Portugal international would want to leave Manchester City. His energy is intense, as has always been the case since arriving from Monaco in 2017. So is his technical skills and interactions with his team-mates. Manchester City returned to their best as they attacked the newly promoted Canaries, with Bernardo stepping up efforts in a dynamic midfield.
Manchester City: Guardiola opens door for arrival before end of transfer window
However, the 27-year-old, who has two years remaining on his contract, could still leave before the transfer window expires at the end of the month. AC Milan is the latest club to be linked with Bernardo, but target understands that he will not be transferred to the San Siro, as he prefers to move to Spain to be closer to his native Portugal. FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid have both been mooted as possible destinations but, unfortunately for Bernardo, he has fallen victim to his own success.
After helping Manchester City win three Premier League titles in four years at the club, earning praise from Pep Guardiola and signing a contract extension in 2019, he is now beyond the reach of many top clubs. by Covid-19. Guardiola has confirmed Bernardo wants to leave early as soon as the squad is renewed for the 2021-22 campaign, but a move seems increasingly likely.
“Not just Bernardo Silva”, explained the Manchester City coach. “There are two, three or four players who want to leave. But these are our players and they are under contract. When they want to leave we are open to discussing anything, but it’s up to them.”
“Otherwise they will continue to train very well, they will stay here and I will decide if they stay or not. Players who want to leave know the door is open because we don’t want anyone to be disappointed here. to find a club, otherwise they will stay here“, concluded the Spaniard. In the case of Bernardo Silva, it is now up to his agent Jorge Mendes to see if he can use his magic to find a way out before the transfer window closes.
Being used as a bargaining chip in a £100m+ bid for Tottenham’s Harry Kane will certainly be of great use to Manchester City as they struggle to break the current impasse over the England striker’s future. So far no deal has been reached and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has remained firm that he will not sell his star striker, who still has three years left on his contract.
Manchester City also need to get rid of top-flight players if they are to fund deals for their priority target, but Bernardo Silva is hardly interested in the idea of joining a team that finishes seventh in the Premier League and which plays in the European Conference League. His position is understandable and poses no problem at a club where he is renowned for his professionalism. Locker room life is difficult for many foreign players in the Premier League, part of a grueling cycle of matches, COVID-19 testing, training and staying at home, but Bernardo has behaved and has delivered a flawless performance.
Hugely popular with Pep Guardiola’s players and squad, his presence in the first team will be sorely missed if he leaves. On the pitch last season, he played a key role in City’s run to the Champions League final, starting all but two of their group games, as well as two-thirds of the Premier League. However, this does not paint the complete picture. It is her flexibility and happiness to take on any role that makes her even more valuable.
At the start of City’s 15-game winning streak, which was instrumental in reclaiming the title, Bernardo started the first 13 games and played in five positions in the first seven. Against Southampton, Chelsea and Crystal Palace he was a right winger, at home against Newcastle he was on the left, and he played as a false nine against Aston Villa. He returned to the number 10 position to visit Brighton and then featured as a central midfielder in the win at West Brom.
Without Sergio Aguero for most of last season, Guardiola was forced to overhaul his squad to cover his absence and Bernardo Silva is the type of player who adapts so quickly to any request. Manchester City should need fewer such adaptations this season, especially if they manage to secure a deal for Kane in the final months of the transfer window. The downside for Bernardo is that he could be pushed further down the pecking order with the arrival of Jack Grealish and the emergence of Phil Foden.
Neither Foden nor Kevin De Bruyne were available for Saturday’s win over Norwich and Bernardo Silva had to fight for an early role as they played. That is, if he doesn’t get what he wants and if he doesn’t move to Spain this summer. But time is running out for a player that many clubs, including Manchester City, would love to have in their squad on September 1.
