20 | Bernardo Silva - 2024/25

Status
Not open for further replies.
ChicagoBlue said:
He’s asked to do a lot, because he’s so energetic, not a headless chicken. He’s asked to press & close down spaces when we don’t have the ball, but to find and create space when we do. That requires constant movement and coming short, going long, pulling wide, drifting inside behind the opposition midfield, etc, etc, etc…

Where you see headless, I see purpose and carrying out his coach’s wishes, but different viewpoints are allowed.
Click to expand...
He often just chases the ball 50/ 60 yards then the opposition just move the ball and he is forced to run back into position, for me he wastes a lot of needles energy and this is from probably my favorite player at the club in the last decade.

Pressing is essential but for me in the last couple of seasons is doing far too much, probably because his teammates don't do enough, if that makes sense.
 
Keeper! said:
He often just chases the ball 50/ 60 yards then the opposition just move the ball and he is forced to run back into position, for me he wastes a lot of needles energy and this is from probably my favorite player at the club in the last decade.

Pressing is essential but for me in the last couple of seasons is doing far too much, probably because his teammates don't do enough, if that makes sense.
Click to expand...
It does and it doesn’t.

I don’t think he does it because he wants to! Who would?

Like others, he wants to play, so he does what the Gaffer wants. There was a prime example tonight in the second half where KDB had dropped in and he did the bullshit running you mentioned, but it was because KDB had dropped deeper to cover, so “someone” had to do it.

Like you, I think Bernardo or KDB or Savinho doing it is a complete waste of energy. However, Pep seems to think it can help force the opposition, perhaps get them to give up possession, and allow us to start over again.
 
Last edited:
ChicagoBlue said:
Some of us are only mentioning “he ran his arse off” because people are saying his legs are gone and he’s past it, NOT that that is his only contribution to the team!

If you can’t see his contribution, that’s on you! And, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing that you don’t like him and the way he plays, just that you prefer something else.

Bernardo’s only problem is that he plays the way Pep wants us to play, and that’s not been working for us. Couple that with the fact that the game is becoming bigger, stronger, faster, and it’s clear to see Bernardo doesn’t possess any of those traits!

I’m not even suggesting his time is NOT up IF we want to get some size, speed and strength into our game. Rather, I’m suggesting he is a fairly consistent top performer in Pep’s game plan and is an outstanding footballer whose contributions are not being appreciated because things are not going well. A case in point was tonight, when he was FAR FAR FAR away from being close to our worst performer, yet the old, lazy tropes come out.

I’m all in favor of greater size, speed and strength in the team, because that is where football has transitioned towards, and we generally lack it due to Pep’s tactical preferences and his aged squad. However, there will always be a place for a player like Bernardo in any top team.
Click to expand...
He's been one of my favourite players for us and I love his attitude. Why would you think I don't like him or the way he plays?

I just feel there's been quite a drop off in quality since we won the treble. Once he was a contender for man of the match most weeks. Now he seems to have every little impact on games in the same manner he used to in terms of controlling games.

I'm not talking stats per se, he did alright in front of goal last season, more in the sense that he would be one of the main men running games and I'm not seeing that from him anymore and haven't for a while.

Just my opinion though, and I'm probably not alone.
 
Crooked_rain said:
He's been one of my favourite players for us and I love his attitude. Why would you think I don't like him or the way he plays?

I just feel there's been quite a drop off in quality since we won the treble. Once he was a contender for man of the match most weeks. Now he seems to have every little impact on games in the same manner he used to in terms of controlling games.

I'm not talking stats per se, he did alright in front of goal last season, more in the sense that he would be one of the main men running games and I'm not seeing that from him anymore and haven't for a while.

Just my opinion though, and I'm probably not alone.
Click to expand...
I think that he is the type of player that complements a good team, but is rarely capable of carrying it.

At times this season, thdd ex cream has needed carrying and it’s not him that’s going to do it. He does his shift and then done, but all the running, covering and pressing in the world isn’t going to stop your own defenders from shitting their pants or forwards from missing the target!

He’s not Batman, he’s Robin!
 
Crooked_rain said:
He's been one of my favourite players for us and I love his attitude. Why would you think I don't like him or the way he plays?

I just feel there's been quite a drop off in quality since we won the treble. Once he was a contender for man of the match most weeks. Now he seems to have every little impact on games in the same manner he used to in terms of controlling games.

I'm not talking stats per se, he did alright in front of goal last season, more in the sense that he would be one of the main men running games and I'm not seeing that from him anymore and haven't for a while.

Just my opinion though, and I'm probably not alone.
Click to expand...

I think he's physically fucked. The energy he puts in usually wouldn't be so wasted because the rest of the team would be doing the same and we'd win the ball back. He's hunting the ball on his own at times and just getting passed around.

We're not that far away from being a very good side again. A lot of our issues are due to the fact Pep wants us to keep playing the same way we always have. We could change them, be more compact and sit a little deeper but whilst that's good in the short term we're going to then have to adapt again which isn't positive long term. Hopefully Nico can add that bit of energy in support. Bernardo in a midfield with Foden and Nico will have the support in terms of a press. A front three of Haaland, Marmoush and Savinho would also press. It instantly puts pressure on the opposition high up the pitch and stops us being so easily exposed.

That was less of a problem last night because Real showed us too much respect, a bit like Arsenal. As soon as they applied a bit of pressure we collapsed again. The fragility of the team is staggering. Yes we lost Grealish and Akanji to injury and Ake had to come off as he's back from his own injury and Stones was fucked after 65 minutes...but there shouldn't be such a drop in quality when we make those changes.

I want us to beat Real, I fucking hate them. But I just don't see us doing the job now. And I would be minded to throw in some youngsters to go and get what will be valuable experience longer term instead of hoping De Bruyne, Bernardo and Gundo will find form from 3 years ago.
 
urban genie said:
He has to do the running for 2 players every game as Kev, Kova and Gundo are slow and laboured.

This has affected his attacking prowess
Click to expand...

I'm sorry but I'm not interested in people trying to deflect blame from the players and onto others.

Bernardo is just as slow as the others you mentioned and nobody else is to blame for him giving the ball away cheaply game after game after game.
 
Tugay One Cup said:
I'm sorry but I'm not interested in people trying to deflect blame from the players and onto others.

Bernardo is just as slow as the others you mentioned and nobody else is to blame for him giving the ball away cheaply game after game after game.
Click to expand...
I am not deflecting blame, but people saying he is spent are talking bollocks, he is burnt put and doing more than jist a wingers job when on tje flanks and more than a deep lying job when in a double pivot.

Some are jogging round the pitch while he is trying to suplort more than one area.

He needs a few games rest, unfortunately injury to people hasn't help him get that
 
Apparently a few clubs are interested in signing Bernie at end of the season, love the guy and has been a major player in our success but it’s time to let him go.
He’s stayed with us the past few seasons because we wouldn’t let him leave but unfortunately he’s past his sell by date….good luck Bernie you deserve a final pay day in warmer climates for you and your young family

Same for KDB ….shame I was hoping he adapt his game like Bobby Moore & Modric….lost their pace but still had the guile and passes in their lockers to influence a game.
 
Seems to sulk his way through games now. Bickering with Pep on the sideline while the game is going on.

Not offering anything of note. Flat footed and slow both in and out of possession.

Shame to see the decline - he’s only 30! - but he’s had some role here in the success.
 
Overplayed and expected to play three positions every game. Feel bad for him given what he's does for us.
 
He has to go. Gave all to the club that was worth giving. Whats left for him at this level is not enough for where we want to go. simple as that. would be a mistake to hang onto him until he is 33-34 years old.
 
skillman said:
Seems to sulk his way through games now. Bickering with Pep on the sideline while the game is going on.

Not offering anything of note. Flat footed and slow both in and out of possession.

Shame to see the decline - he’s only 30! - but he’s had some role here in the success.
Click to expand...
I agree. I have been saying it all season. I think he’s been a passenger for most of it. He’s been stellar, a 24 carat gem for us. I hate to say anything against any of ours but we need to move on a few. Bernie is one of them. He’ll be remembered as one of our very best and rightly so but we need new legs.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Unread Posts

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top