Bernardo Silva will captain Manchester City at the Club World Cup, but the Portugal international star has revealed he could soon leave the club.
The former Monaco star has played under Pep Guardiola since a €50 million transfer in 2017 but has regularly been linked with a departure over the last couple of years. Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League had been linked with him lately.
He still has a year to run on his contract, and while this would seem to put him on the transfer market this summer, the 30-year-old has no plans on leaving immediately. In the medium term, however, there is a very different story.
“Yeah, I have one year on my contract, so obviously I could leave next season. I know what I’m going to do, but it’s not the time to talk about that,” he told the media ahead of City’s clash against Wydad Casablanca at the Club World Cup.
“I’m very focused on my season. I’m very focused on performing well for Man City. When the time is due, I will talk about it.
“This season I will for sure be with Man City. I’m going to stay. I’ve had options in the past and this year, like last year, my choice is to stay at Man City.”
Guardiola takes matters into his own hands
Guardiola has named Bernardo Silva as the clubs captain for the competition, underlining that Bernardo Silva is still a player who he counts on. Incredibly, he will be the first player that the manager has every elected into this position himself, with the Man City boss typically favouring a vote among the squad and backroom staff.
“I’m the manager and this season, for the first time in my career, I decided who is to be my captain,” he revealed.
“I didn’t like what happened last season and I decided this season who represents the team. Sometimes I want to be the boss!
“I think Bernardo had been an incredible figure for us. Eight years here, no injures, always in the bad moments he makes a step up, sets the example on the pitch.”
Ruben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland will join Bernardo Silva in Man City’s leadership group as they seek to win the Club World Cup.
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