Pep Guardiola urges Bernardo Silva to finish career at Manchester City
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed a strong desire for club captain Bernardo Silva to finish his playing career at the Etihad Stadium, despite growing speculation regarding a summer departure.
The 31-year-old midfielder sees his current contract expire at the end of the season and is yet to formally communicate his future plans.
Recent reports have heavily linked the Portugal international with potential moves to La Liga leaders Barcelona, Serie A giants Juventus, and franchises in Major League Soccer.
Guardiola awaiting formal decision
Doubt was cast over the playmaker’s future last week when City assistant manager Pep Lijnders suggested the player’s nine-year tenure in Manchester was drawing to a close.
However, Guardiola remains hopeful that his influential captain will opt to sign a contract extension before the campaign concludes in six weeks.
“I’m so grumpy with Bernardo because a month ago I said ‘if you take a decision I have to be the first to know’ and he didn’t say anything to me yet,” said Guardiola.
“I think the proper one must be Bernardo, I don’t know if he has already decided. I said, jokingly, ‘tell me I deserve it’ but he didn’t tell me so I don’t know what’s going on.”
A defining era in Manchester
The former Monaco star recently made his 450th appearance for the reigning English champions during an EFL Cup victory over Arsenal.
He assumed the prestigious role of club captain last summer following the high-profile departure of Belgian maestro Kevin De Bruyne.
“All managers would say how much they love him because he is incredibly competitive, has a fire inside him always,” Guardiola noted regarding his captain’s character.
“He has been an incredible signing for us, incredible. I love this club and I would love if he could stay and finish his career here but I do not know.”
Conflicting messages from the dugout
The contrasting messages follow Lijnders fulfilling media duties after City’s commanding 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final win against Liverpool.
The assistant manager filled in for a touchline-banned Guardiola to address the media regarding the expiring contract.
“You never replace a player with the same kind of player because they don’t exist,” said Lijnders.
“But every good story comes to an end, and I hope he enjoys the last months and has a good farewell.”
