20 | Bernardo Silva - 2025/26

I think Bernardo still has the mind, attitude and ability of a top player, but I think we're fast approaching a tipping point where his body simply can't fucntion at the top of the game.

He's been the slowest player in the league for a good 18 months now, and with every passing game he feels weaker against increasingly powerful midfields. I think he probably should already have gone, and he certainly should go at the end of this season.
Is 'slowest player in the league' based off actual stats? I'm aware he's dropped off over the last couple of seasons but that seems harsh
 
And playing him mid means that one of Rodri, Reijinders , Foden, Nico, and perhaps Cherki miss out.

I love B. Silva - but age has caught him out.
Wouldn’t say age - he‘s been run to the ground for years and was never the fastest
 
And playing him mid means that one of Rodri, Reijinders , Foden, Nico, and perhaps Cherki miss out.

I love B. Silva - but age has caught him out.
He only turned 31 two months ago. It’s not like he’s 36.

Look at what David Silva and Fernandinho were still doing at 34. 31 is not old for a footballer.

It’s more like the amount of effort he’s put into games and distance he’s covered in games under Pep has made his legs go years early (especially for someone his size, usually smaller lads go for longer than someone like Yaya Touré for example).
 
Same last season. He still runs more than anyone else, but he was amongst the lowest for sprints, if I remember rightly.
He appeared to run himself into the ground last night against Ireland but was largely ineffective against a poor enough Irish defence. I just feel his days at City are fizzling out.
 
Great sub appearance. Tilted the game in our favor and was still fighting well after we had pretty much killed the game.
 
He is like a Xanax…calms everything the fuck down when you need it most. Can drift out to the wing, inside into midfield, or even pick up the ball as the last man…and his timing is usually perfect.

Where he has trouble is a cut and thrust game, at speed, with strength in the opposition midfield and having to shut down a player. THAT is the game where he has to sit until we are 2 or 3 up, then come on and frustrate the fuck out of the opposition by playing a like a cheat code for “keep away.”
 
Excellent when he came on. Without Rodri I prefer us with two sitting midfielders and he can still do a job there.
 
…is he now an impact player? Haha. Best performance in weeks that. Came on as a leader.
 

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