Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has been named the club's new captain - despite it looking likely he will leave in a year's time. The 30-year-old midfielder confirmed he's staying put for the final year of his contract but remained non-committal about his future beyond that period.
He is likely to receive tempting offers from several major clubs including some from Saudi Arabia. Bernardo has been fast-tracked into City's leadership team, alongside team-mates Rodri, Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, and Ilkay Gundogan, and will inherit the captain's armband due to Kyle Walker's expected departure.
Kevin De Bruyne replaced Walker as skipper when the defender went on loan to AC Milan in January but has left to join Napoli on a free transfer.
Speaking before City's Club World Cup match against Wydad, Silva said: "I know what I'm going to do but it's not the time to talk about that. I'm very focused on my season. I'm very focused on performing well for Man City. When the time is due I will talk about it.
"I have one year on my contract so obviously I can leave next season. This season will for sure be with Man City. I'm going to stay."
"I've had options in the past and this year, like last year and this year, my option is to stay at Man City."
Guardiola highlighted the "incredible" experience brought by Bernardo as he explained of Haaland becoming a vice-captain: "He's so young. But he has to learn what it means to be a captain because he will hopefully be here for many years and sooner or later he will take that position. When you have Bernardo, Rodri, Ruben and Gundogan he will learn.
"He's incredibly well respected. I have the feeling thinking for the future that he needs to learn what is best for the team. To put the team, your mates, in front of you. You have to ask what is best for the team.
"When you do that you never make a mistake. Bernardo has been incredible for us. Nine years, no injuries. When he had to say something to me he says it because it's best for the club. They will guide the new players.
"There will be problems this season but it's more than fine. Three or four players on the pitch are huge personalities. They say, "We cannot accept what is going on and make the step up."