Bernardo Silva will leave Man City when his contract expires at the end of the season. The Portugal international has won six Premier League titles and one Champions League during his nine seasons with City. He will depart when his contract expires at the end of the current campaign.
Lijnders on Silva’s Imminent Departure
Speaking after City’s 4-0 FA Cup win over Liverpool on Saturday, assistant manager Pep Lijnders confirmed Silva’s departure. Lijnders, who was filling in for Pep Guardiola, acknowledged that it will not be possible for the club to replace their skipper, saying that “every good story comes to an end”.
“You never replace a player with the same kind of player, because they don’t exist. Bernardo Silva is unique,” said Lijnders.
The Dutchman elaborated on Silva’s qualities: “The way he controls games, the way he moves, the way he receives, the way he leads, the way he sees the solutions, all these things.”
Lijnders added: “You never search for a replacement of one type of player, you search for what is needed to grow with the team and somebody who can fit in the first XI.” He hopes that young players can step up in the midfield positions, but emphasized the importance of the senior players remaining at the club. “But the most important is that the seniors will stay for a long time, that they stay, that the core is there and around that you can move.”
Lijnders acknowledged the difficulty of replacing Silva, stating, “But it will be hard, because as I said, in the game, when he’s not playing, you will see how he’s missed. And that’s one game. Imagine a season?”
Lijnders concluded, “I hope he enjoys the last months, it is only six weeks, and he has a good farewell and he deserves all that attention as well.”
Remembering Silva’s Impact
News of Silva’s impending exit arrives after he lifted the Carabao Cup at Wembley and played a key role in dismantling Liverpool. This performance is reminiscent of Guardiola’s praise after a 3-0 win over Liverpool in November.
“He is a master,” Guardiola said after that particular display. “The tempo, winning the ball, accelerate, decelerate, the intuition [to know] where the space is, how to manage the situations and so many things. He is one of the most clever players I have ever met.”
City supporters will remember the midfielder for his quality and work rate. Whether deep in midfield or on the wing, he provided solutions for his side.
Silva’s exit marks the end of an era at Man City.