Who Is Bernardo Silva And What Will He Bring To Manchester City?

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Bernardo Silva’s move to Manchester City will enhance the team’s attacking options. It’s also a step in the right direction for Silva’s career development.  


Courtesy: Manchester City FC

Manchester City has signed midfielder Bernardo Silva for a fee of 43 million pounds. Bernardo’s signing marks the beginning of Pep Guardiola’s summer spending spree. It’s a spree made possible after releasing several players. More are expected to leave.

This major signing signals a statement of intent to compete on all fronts next season. It’s hugely welcomed by fans and bookmakers have predicted a bright future for this young, Portuguese star. Bernardo is a product of Benfica Academy, where he made his mark as one of the brightest talents in Europe.

What will Bernardo Silva bring to Manchester City? A lot.

Silva is a player with amazing qualities. He’s a traditional #10 and he can also play from the right side of the attack in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Bernardo’s movement in and around the box is magnificent, and his dribbling skills and ability to twist and turn in front of defenders are astonishing.

What impresses me most about Silva is the way he runs at defenders with his superb left foot.

Bernardo’s decision making in the final third of the field and his composed finishing in front of goal are sublime. His technical ability and his ball retention techniques remind me of Manchester City player, David Silva. I see Bernardo as a more creative, younger version of David Silva.

Bernardo’s move to Manchester City is a step in the right direction in terms of his career development. And Bernardo’s arrival will no doubt add to the team’s attacking options.

Fans will be anxious to see how quickly Bernardo can adapt to Guardiola’s philosophy and which area in the attacking positions will bring the best out in him.

I’m a bit concerned about how his lack of physical stature will fare in the high intensity of the Premier League football. So it remains to be seen whether multifaceted skills can compensate for his of physical presence.

Courtesy: Goal.com

Guardiola’s first season at Manchester City established a brand of football that saw his team dominate possession at home with opponents defending deep and playing on the counter-attack. “We attack in small spaces and defend huge spaces behind,” Guardiola said in February.

With his dazzling skills and vision, Bernardo Silva could be a perfect fit to utilize those small spaces. He has the intelligence and composure to open up a defence, and he will surely bring the balance that’s lacking in Manchester City’s attack.

I believe there’s still room for improvement (considering his age), but his desire to work hard will be appreciated by Guardiola.

After a season that ended without a trophy, Guardiola has moved quickly to continue his rebuilding project. The signing of Bernardo Silva has given the fans more reasons to believe in Guardiola’s work. More players are expected to arrive as the manager tries to complete his summer signings before pre-season preparation begins.

Courtesy: Manchester City FC

It will be interesting to see how quickly Bernardo adapts to English life. Arriving at a young age with a big price tag on his shoulders could prove to be a real test for this 22-year-old. The Premier League has proven to be a tough league, especially for young players when they arrive.

The likes of Anthony Martial of Manchester United and Memphis Depay (who left Manchester United for Lyon) have had a taste of it. I believe Bernardo’s successful spell at Monaco will give him the confidence to take up the challenge.

I’m sure fans can’t wait to see what Bernardo has in stock. There’s no doubt Guardiola has a talented young player at his disposal.

About Geoffrey Ofoegbu

I’m from Abuja, Nigera. I have passion for football (soccer) and enjoy writing articles about the clubs, managers, players, and anything connected with the game. It has always been my dream to be a sport columnist. Joining the team at TSC is a stepping stone to fulfilling that dream–launching a career in the sports industry. Sport of Expertise: Football, Basketball. Favorite Teams: Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal. Favorite Players: Ronaldo, Paul Pogba, Sergio Aguero, Alexis Sanchez, Sergio Ramos, Toni Kroos, David Silva, Yaya Toure, Antonio Valencia.



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