Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat vs Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final made it clearer than ever that come the summer, Pep Guardiola’s squad needs to be rebuilt.
With Kevin De Bruyne being City’s only source of creativity to the lack of athleticism in the side, this Sky Blues side no longer has the quality or physicality to succeed at the highest level.
De Bruyne is being targeted by Chicago Fire and several other players must follow the Belgian legend out of the exit door this summer.
While Manchester City made several signings this winter, it is clear as day that they still are miles off both Liverpool and Arsenal — who are expected to challenge for the Premier League title next season.
Man City should sell Bernardo Silva in the summer
Bernardo Silva is one man who City should let go in the summer, despite his status as a club legend being unquestionable.
Pep Guardiola still appreciates Bernardo and understandably so as despite him no longer being as masterful as he once was, the Portuguese maestro’s commitment to the cause can never be called into question.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
More Man City News
But time catches up with everyone, as it has with Bernardo, who cost Manchester City £43 million in 2017 as he no longer has the quick feet, incredible engine and match-winning ability anymore.
The 30-year-old’s footballing brain is second to none but much like in De Bruyne’s case, his legs are not in sync with how he views the game.
As a result, Bernardo has struggled to both control games from midfield or caused left-backs many problems when deployed on the right flank.
The former AS Monaco technician simply costs through games nowadays.
Considering Bernardo is a declining asset and well past his best, AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, who Pep Guardiola adores would be the perfect candidate to emerge as his long-term heir.
Bernardo Silva has dropped a major hint about his future already
The six-time Premier League winner had a mixed outing against Crystal Palace as he was deployed as a number six by Guardiola.
BERNARDO SILVA STATS VS CRYSTAL PALACE
ACCURATE PASSES 59/64 (92%)
POSSESSION LOST 9
DUELS WON 3/5
KEY PASSES 0
DRIBBLED PAST 1
But rather than his latest display, the Lisbon-born attacker’s season as a whole has been disappointing.
Even last season, Bernardo was not at his best and perhaps during the previous summer, City should have cashed in on him but they now have a chance to rectify their decision not to — as the treble-winner just has one year left on his contract.
But Bernardo hinted he could stay at Manchester City in March by admitting that he hopes he continues to have a chance of lifting trophies at the Etihad Stadium.
“I wanted to win a Premier League, I wanted to win a Champions League, I wanted to win an FA Cup. But I never thought specifically that I would, in seven years, win six Premier Leagues.”
“The journey has just been crazy and hopefully it doesn’t stop here. But yeah, it’s been good.”