Bernardo Silva will leave Manchester City at the end of this season. City assistant manager Pep Lijnders confirmed after Manchester City’s FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool that the City captain will depart the club once his contract expires at the end of this season. Bernardo has been ever-present in Pep Guardiola’s side since arriving at the club from AS Monaco in 2017. Next season, City will move on without one of their most important players, which will give Pep Guardiola’s side a new look for what lies ahead.
Pep Lijnders has confirmed that Bernardo Silva will leave Manchester City at the end of this season.
Speaking after Manchester City comfortably beat Liverpool in their FA Cup quarter-final tie 4-0 at the Etihad, City assistant Pep Lijnders confirmed that Bernardo Silva will leave the club at the end of this season. That news didn’t come as a surprise. However, it was the first official confirmation that Bernardo Silva will leave City imminently. Speaking on Bernardo Silva’s future, in quotes relayed by ESPN, Pep Lijnders said: “Every good story comes to an end. I hope he enjoys the last months — there are only six weeks — and has a good farewell. He deserves all that attention as well.“
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Pep Lijnders further explained that there is no like-for-like replacement for Bernardo Silva. It will take a combined effort from a host of players to fill the void in Pep Guardiola’s squad when Bernardo Silva does depart. He explained: “You never replace a player with the same kind of player because they don’t exist. Bernardo Silva is unique. 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.”
“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.”
“And then you hope, with our academy, with the young players we already bought that they can make that step as well in the midfield positions.”
There will be a new look to Pep Guardiola’s squad next season without Bernardo Silva in it.
It is sad to have it confirmed that Bernardo Silva will leave Manchester City at the end of this season, it is hard to picture a City side without the versatile and inspirational Portuguese international in it. Bernardo’s contribution to City has been immense, and he remains a key component of Pep Guardiola’s side. There is a strong argument to be made that while Bernardo Silva has aged, he is currently playing some of the best football of his career. But, much like Kevin De Bruyne’s departure at the end of last season, nothing lasts forever. It will be sad to see Bernardo play his last game for Manchester City. As a glittering City career ends, a new chapter at Manchester City will begin.
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Bernardo Silva’s departure from Manchester City will allow other players, whether that’s a new signing, or players currently in the City squad, to step up. Responsibility will fall on new players to fill the void that Bernardo Silva’s departure will create. No player can replace Bernardo Silva’s role on the pitch. That is impossible. No other player can play so many roles so well and also has an intimate understanding of Pep Guardiola’s demands. Instead, someone, or multiple players, will have to step up. There will be a new look to this Manchester City side next season after a club legend departs.
Bernardo Silva will leave Manchester City at the end of this season. Pep Lijnders has confirmed the news that has felt inevitable for some time. Manchester City will have a new look next season without their current captain in their squad. How that looks next season is unknown, but it will be fascinating to watch unfold.
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