Manchester City’s 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final has sparked fresh concerns about the future of Pep Guardiola’s squad — and one name that stands out is Bernardo Silva.
Man City Should Immediately Sell £43m Star Who Lost the Ball Nine Times vs Crystal Palace in FA Cup Final
Once a fan favourite and a vital cog in City’s machine, the Portuguese midfielder now looks like a shadow of his former self.
Bernardo, who cost City £43 million back in 2017, was deployed as a number six against Palace but struggled to make any real impact.
While he completed 59 of his 64 passes with a 92% accuracy rate, the 30-year-old lost possession a staggering nine times and failed to register a single key pass.
The stats underline a reality that many fans are beginning to accept — Bernardo Silva is no longer the dynamic force he once was.
Despite his technical brilliance and tactical intelligence, Bernardo’s legs can no longer keep up with the fast-paced demands of Guardiola’s system.
He lacks the sharpness that once made him a nightmare for defenders and a control tower in midfield. Whether used out wide or centrally, his influence on games has significantly waned.
With only a year left on his contract, now is the right time for City to part ways with the six-time Premier League winner.
Last summer may have been the perfect opportunity to cash in, but the club can still avoid the mistake of letting him walk for free.
AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders, admired by Guardiola, could be the ideal long-term successor to bring energy and freshness to midfield.
Bernardo hinted in March that he hopes to keep winning trophies at City, but hope alone won’t close the growing gap between City and the likes of Arsenal or Liverpool.
Guardiola must act decisively this summer. Sentimentality has no place in an elite side — and for the sake of evolution, Manchester City must let go of their declining maestro.
