Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has been the best player in the Premier League this season.
The Portugal international missed out on the PFA Player of the Year award to Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk while Raheem Sterling secured the PFA Young Player of the Year accolade.
Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has been the best player in the Premier League this season.
The Portugal international missed out on the PFA Player of the Year award to Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk while Raheem Sterling secured the PFA Young Player of the Year accolade.
However, Guardiola is adamant Silva should have received significantly more recognition ahead of his competitors due to his influential performances for City.
“He was the best [this season], not just in our team,” Guardiola told City’s official website when asked about the man nicknamed ‘Bubblegum’, courtesy of his ability to retain possession.
“Bernardo can play incredibly well everywhere, give me a team and he can play well there. He does everything with the ball.”
Given the talent within Guardiola’s squad, such praise suggests that Silva is set to be an integral member of the Spaniard’s team for years to come.
Silva, who joined City from Monaco in 2017, has featured in all but one of City’s top-flight fixtures this season.
The 24-year-old has scored seven goals and created a further seven to help City move to within touching distance of their fourth Premier League title.
Nothing will change
City need to win at Brighton to secure the title ahead of Liverpool, who must beat Wolves at Anfield to have any hope of pipping Guardiola’s men at the post.
However, Guardiola is adamant he will be satisfied with his team’s campaign even if they fall short in their search of two further pieces of silverware to add to the League Cup trophy they won back in February.
“We’ve done incredibly well all season and in last two games we have two titles, two finals,” the City manager added.
“Okay, if it happens it will be nice, but nothing is going to change.”
squawka.com