Pep Lijnders has confirmed that Bernardo Silva will be leaving Manchester City this summer, and he hopes the club’s captain receives a fitting farewell. Silva took on the role of captain this season and has played a crucial part in raising the standards of Pep Guardiola’s squad following a dip in performance last year.
The Portuguese international made it clear to reporters at the Club World Cup last June that this would be his final campaign with the club, although he has not yet made an official announcement. Silva is determined to secure a seventh Premier League title before his departure, as City currently trail leaders Arsenal by nine points with a game in hand.
“Bernardo Silva is unique,” Lijnders said. “It will be hard because in a game when he is not playing you will see how he is missed – and that’s only one game. Imagine a season. But every good story comes to an end, and I hope he enjoys the last months – there are only six weeks – and has a good farewell. He deserves all that attention.”
Silva has previously come close to leaving City, particularly during the pandemic. Paris Saint-Germain were the strongest suitors but offered significantly less than the £70 million valuation. The 31-year-old believes it is too early for a return to Benfica, and he has options in MLS while Juventus have also shown interest in signing him.
Barcelona have long been admirers of Silva, with his friend Ilkay Gundogan now at Galatasaray. Despite spending nine years at the Etihad Stadium, Silva has not always felt at home with English culture. Recently, he admitted that if City were based in southern Europe, he would stay until being “kicked out.”
Silva said: “If Manchester City was in Lisbon, I’d stay until I’m 40. I truly love the football club, my teammates, staff, fans, stadium, atmosphere – everything about my professional life.”
Phil Foden will be the only remaining member of the 2018 record-breaking Centurions squad following the impending departures of Silva and John Stones on free transfers.
“I didn’t like Bernardo before,” grinned ex-Liverpool assistant Lijnders. “Now I love him. The way he feels the game, what’s needed. There are not many like him; when to drop, when to make a move 20 metres away from Rodri.
“He feels the task to play well, to make the team play well. These are the type of players, when they are not playing, you will feel it.”
