Table of Contents
- Guehi has named Man City captain Bernardo Silva as one of the best players he has played with
- The centre-back described the Portuguese icon as an “incredible leader”
- Silva will part ways with Man City this summer after nine years at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City defender Marc Guehi has named captain Bernardo Silva among the top three players he has played with during his career.
Silva has confirmed he will be leaving Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of June, concluding a glorious nine-year journey at the club.
While there remains a big gap to fill in City’s midfield next season, the 31-year-old’s upcoming departure is also an emotional affair for manager Pep Guardiola, who has said that part of him is leaving alongside Silva.
Marc Guehi issues statement after Manchester City error in 3-3 Everton draw
Guehi, who joined Manchester City from Crystal Palace in January, has revealed he has been wowed by Silva in his first few months in the north-west, praising the Portugal international to be “really supportive to every single person in the squad”.
Bernardo Silva is an ‘incredible leader’, says Guehi
Despite having spent less than four months at Manchester City, Guehi has already named Silva among the best three players he has played alongside during his career.
The 25-year-old has shared the pitch with Silva in 15 out of the 17 appearances he has made for the Premier League giants.
Silva was awarded the Manchester City armband by Guardiola last summer following the departures of Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne.
Guehi admitted to being ‘actually surprised’ by how ‘vocal’ Silva is in and around the dressing room. “He’s probably one of the best players I’ve played with, top three for sure,” the England international said of Silva in conversation with the Manchester Evening News.
“He (Silva) is an incredible leader. How vocal he is actually surprised me because, with someone with his quality, you just feel like he just performs on the pitch and leads on the pitch with his performances – but he’s very vocal.
“If I talk a lot, I’ll cry” – Pep Guardiola’s emotional message to Bernardo Silva ahead of Manchester City exit
“He’s really supportive to every single person in the squad. It’s not just in key moments, it’s every single day. When you have someone like that, who is the captain, who is the leader and leads by example like that – it’s fantastic.
“But it’s not just him, it’s so many others in the squad – Rodri, Erling (Haaland), Ruben (Dias), there are so many guys.”
Guehi: I hope to play against Bernardo in the future!
While their association at the Etihad Stadium has been limited, Guehi mentioned that he has enjoyed sharing the pitch with Silva, expressing hopes of facing off against his departing captain at some point moving forward.
“Obviously, now we know that he’s leaving, it’s really sad for the football club, but I’ve enjoyed playing with him and, hopefully get to play against him, maybe, at some point again in the future,” the centre-half added.
With Silva becoming a free agent in June, several prominent clubs across the globe have been heavily linked with the six-time Premier League winner, including Juventus, Galatasaray, Paris Saint-Germain and Fenerbahce.
Recent reports have suggested that La Liga giants Barcelona are closing in on an agreement to sign the Benfica academy graduate, who is reportedly ready to accept a 60% pay cut to facilitate a move to Catalunya.
“They feel relieved, relaxed” – Pep Guardiola reacts to Bernardo Silva and John Stones exit announcements
Silva eyes trophy-laden exit from Manchester City
Silva joined Manchester City from AS Monaco in 2017 and has since made 455 appearances for the Blues, registering 76 goals and 77 assists whilst winning 19 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League title.
As he brings the curtain down on a trophy-laden tenure at the Etihad Stadium, City’s number 20 is now looking to go out on a high as Guardiola and co vie for a domestic treble in the final month of the season.
Having lifted the Carabao Cup trophy at Wembley in March – City’s first title in two seasons – the Blues are fighting Arsenal for the Premier League title and can win the FA Cup if they see off Chelsea in the final at Wembley on May 16.
Silva marked his 300th Premier League appearance in City’s recent 3-3 draw against Everton, becoming the club’s second player to reach the landmark after David Silva, who featured in 309 league games for the Blues.
After a disappointing evening in Merseyside, Guardiola’s side remain in second place in the English top-flight with 71 points in 34 games – five points behind table-toppers Arsenal with a game in hand.
City face Brentford, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Aston Villa in their remaining four league games as they hope for a favour from one of West Ham, Burnley or Crystal Palace – the three sides Arsenal will come up against in their Premier League run-in.
