In the face of transition and uncertainty, there are players who emerge as more than just footballers—they become the glue that holds a team together. For Manchester City, that player is undeniably Bernardo Silva. As the Premier League champions undergo a tactical and generational shift, Bernardo’s performances have reinforced the belief that he is irreplaceable in both influence and execution.The 2024/25 season has tested City’s resilience in ways unseen since Pep Guardiola took the reins.
Three consecutive league titles had elevated the club to a realm of consistent excellence, but this season delivered a sobering reminder that success, no matter how well-managed, is cyclical. By February, Manchester City were not just lagging in the title race—they were in a fight for top-four survival, sitting 18 points behind leaders Liverpool.
Injuries, aging stars, and emotional fatigue collectively conspired to pull the curtain back on a dominant City side. Guardiola himself, typically the unwavering force behind the scenes, found himself at the center of speculation regarding his future. But as the storm clouds threatened to overwhelm the Etihad, it was Bernardo Silva who became the steady hand at the heart of the revival.
Since the turn of the year, Manchester City have begun to rebuild momentum. Their recent nine-game unbeaten streak across all competitions has reignited the belief that a strong finish is within reach. The FA Cup final berth and an upward climb back to third place in the Premier League have breathed new life into what was shaping up to be a lost campaign.
Bernardo Silva, who marked his 400th appearance for the club in a narrow 1-0 win over Wolves, has been central to this revival. The Portuguese midfielder, often operating from the middle but with license to drift wide or deep, produced a performance defined by intelligence, technical mastery, and relentless work rate—hallmarks of his City career.
Earlier in the campaign, questions began to surface. His output had dipped, the spark seemed diminished, and long-time admirers like Barcelona and PSG appeared ready to pounce. Transfer rumours reignited the narrative that Bernardo could be part of the summer exodus. But as City’s season found new purpose, so too did Bernardo’s form—blossoming into one of the team’s most consistent and vital players.
His semi-final performance against Nottingham Forest highlighted his ability to dictate big games. From a more advanced position, he orchestrated attacking sequences and created chances, underscoring his adaptability.
Days later against Wolves, playing deeper, he stepped in for an injured De Bruyne and delivered a display that was equally elegant and industrious—completing 94% of his passes, creating multiple chances, and leading all players in successful dribbles.
Bernardo Silva’s value is found not just in numbers but in the intangibles. In an era dominated by star branding and stat-chasing, he remains a throwback—a team-first footballer whose priority is always the collective good.
That quality, rare and diminishing in the modern game, makes him utterly invaluable to Guardiola’s project.Throughout his time at City, he has played across the pitch—from winger to number ten, to central midfielder, to false nine, even left-back on occasion. Never once has he complained.
His versatility is both a tactical weapon and a cultural statement: at Manchester City, the team always comes first, and Bernardo embodies that ethos more than anyone.He adapts his game in response to every scenario. When City need control, he becomes their metronome. When they need pace, he drives transitions. When they need to defend, he presses relentlessly and tracks back without hesitation.
There’s a quiet heroism in his willingness to do the unnoticed, unfashionable work.Guardiola’s praise of him—“he would play equally well for the champions or for a team fighting relegation”—reveals the depth of respect the manager holds. Bernardo’s consistent selflessness and elite footballing brain are what Guardiola seeks to instill in every player.
His humility in a squad stacked with stars makes him a foundational figure.With the summer promising change, City’s need for continuity is urgent. Rumours about Kevin De Bruyne potentially accepting a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia, coupled with interest in Ederson and other veterans, highlight an impending shift in the squad’s core.
Already, players like İlkay Gündoğan have departed. Others like Walker and Rodri are entering the latter stages of their peak years.In this shifting landscape, Bernardo’s continued presence could serve as an anchor. At 30, he’s still in his prime. His game has never relied on explosive speed or physical dominance—traits that fade—but rather on awareness, endurance, and technical brilliance, all of which age far more gracefully.
Beyond his skill set lies his institutional knowledge. No one understands Guardiola’s demands better. As younger players arrive and veterans leave, his voice—whether spoken or demonstrated on the pitch—will be vital in preserving the standards that have brought City so much success.
His influence extends to player integration. City’s style is famously intricate; new signings often struggle to grasp the nuances. Bernardo, already a mentor figure in the dressing room, serves as a bridge between Guardiola’s ideas and the newcomers’ understanding. He helped Haaland adjust.
He will likely help the next wave too.And as natural leadership emerges through different characters—Rodri, Stones, perhaps even Phil Foden—Bernardo offers a calming, consistent force. He leads not with volume, but with example.
His loyalty to Guardiola’s system, his commitment to every detail, and his unyielding effort create a culture others can emulate.Bernardo has also continued to evolve technically. His role has shifted from a wide creator to a central controller. He’s expanded his passing range, added composure in deeper positions, and matured tactically. The version of Bernardo Silva Manchester City have now is not just experienced but evolved—he dictates tempo, manipulates space, and commands midfield battles.
With two years remaining on his deal, decisions about his future will naturally include financial considerations. Letting him go in 2025 risks losing value. But how do you price someone who offers so much on and off the ball? Replacing him would cost more than money—it would cost time, cohesion, and leadership.
In conclusion, Manchester City’s rebuild will require more than fresh legs—it will need trusted minds. In Bernardo Silva, they have both. As the club prepares for its next chapter, few players are better equipped to author its tone. In the story of Manchester City’s past, present, and future, Bernardo Silva deserves to remain a central character.