20 | Bernardo Silva - 2025/26

He is the guy who keeps us ticking over, be it as a right wing outlet to stabilize us on the ball, coming back to pick it up from the CBs and start building or filling in the spaces in and around midfield.

I understand that everyone sees what they want from each player but it’s undeniable that Bernardo has been one of our best, most consistent performers this season…whether some fans can see it or not.

That said, the flop was embarrassing and he got lucky. He’s also lucky he’s the Captain otherwise his impetuousness with officials would get him more yellows than he already has. Between him and Gigi, they have 8 and are both about ready for a ban!
 
He didn't look that great... but that is mostly on Pep imo.

Because Foden was the RCM, Bernie was forced as the RW, albeit with license to drift centrally, but he looked like a winger most of the time.

But by now, Pep surely must know this is just a waste of Bernie, he can't do it, just let him be in the middle.

It was likely to accommodate Foden, but if Foden is already taking Bernies spot, then play Bobb as the inverted RW for example.
 
With the amount of noise around midfielders over the last couple days, it seems likely that his decision will be to leave at the end of the year, hope we can win something for him this year.
 
Depressingly poor. There’s a difference between working hard and being a headless chicken - he’s the latter more often than not. Teams know it and pass around him.

Love the guy but we’re a miles better side without him in it.
 
We're in the same position as last season, where once a week he's great but he can't play every 3-4 days.

Only concern is that barely anyone in the squad is in form.
 
Like I said, can't pass, can't score, can't tackle and can't run, and by run I don't mean like a headless chicken.
 
He plays like he’s 41 not 31.

I remember in his first few years there were a lot of stories about how he loved going out on the lash and was a common sight in bars around town and now I wonder if that’s the reason becuase seriously I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player age so badly.

Which is a travesty because he’s one of my favourite players ever and his game doesn’t rely on pace, he has the game and stature of a player who could go into his late 30s.
 
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domalino said:
He plays like he’s 41 not 31.

I remember in his first few years there were a lot of stories about how he loved going out on the lash and was a common sight in bars around town and now I wonder if that’s the reason becuase seriously I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player age so badly.

Which is a travesty because he’s one of my favourite players ever and his game doesn’t rely on pace, he has the game and stature of a player who could go into his late 30s.
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Footballers are like car engines. Some break down quicker than others. He's played a lot of football over the past 10 years. Basically, 50+ games a season since his last season at Monaco. And 100 caps for Portugal during that time.

He's still a perfectly good squad player. He just shouldn't be starting as often as he is.

The PL has also changed a bit over the past 2 years or so. City's more direct style doesn't suit him as much. There's a lot more emphasis on pressing and physicality in terms of running, duels and set-pieces.
 
Thought he was good in the last 10-15 minutes. Need to sign a midfielder or two so he isn't starting every game and playing 90 once a week.
 
Im gonna be slightly contrarian here.

I dont really think it's his fault, he wasn't that bad, but 2 things are happening that I dont like, and it's on Pep.

1) Reijnders offers literally no midfield protection with Bernie and Nico G. So when Stones goes and looks a bit lost, the trio looks catastrophically bad.

I dont blame Stones here so much, but Reijnders moreso who made 4 defensive contributions compared to Bernie (11), Nico G (8, subbed early and clearly tired) and Phil (13).

2) Playing Phil RW means Phil basically goes into midfield and doesnt even bother holding the width.

That's clearly on purpose, and while Doku has freedom to go central, he still does loads of wide play, Phil does none.

This means Bernie has to do it, and it's just such a waste of his and our time, he can't do that anymore, everyone knows it.

So that's my slight defense of him, I think Pep is using him wrong with the structure around other players, but he may have no choice in that manner.
 
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