Pep Guardiola would not say whether Bernardo Silva still wants to leave Manchester City but could not speak highly enough of the midfielder after his starring role alongside Rodri against Chelsea on Saturday.
In August, Guardiola confirmed that the club were “open to discussing absolutely everything” to allow the Portugal international to move closer to home, though he still has two years left to run on his current contract.
“I never forget the second Premier League we won, he was the best player in England,” the City boss said.
“The season after he dropped a little bit, he was not in the position, but now he’s back. Again if he wanted to leave the side, the club that is going to take him will take one of the best players in the world.”
After the failed experiment of a midfield three in the Champions League final defeat to Chelsea, City did not take the same risks again, with Kevin De Bruyne and Silva operating on either side of Rodri.
“What a player what a performance today,” Guardiola added.
“It’s not [Silva’s] role as a holding midfielder but he anticipates what is going to happen, he’s an exceptional player. He deserves the best.”
When pressed on whether the 27-year-old was now happy to stay at the Etihad, he said: “You cannot play in this way if you are not happy – if you are not focused… to be happy is to play good.”
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3ucxQpn
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