Man City midfielder Bernardo Silva in action. (Getty Images)
According to Sky Sports, Manchester City are prepared to extend the contract of Bernardo Silva by offering the Portuguese international a new six-year deal which would keep him at the Etihad till the end of the 2024-25 season.
The 24-year-old, who joined City from AS Monaco in the summer of 2017 for a fee of £43 million, has established himself as one of the mainstays of the club’s midfield. He has earned a regular starting role in manager Pep Guardiola’s first-team this season, accumulating 8 goals and 8 assists from 38 appearances across all competitions. Over the course of one-and-a-half seasons at the club, Bernardo has amassed 17 goals and 19 assists from 91 appearances in all competitions.
Bernardo has been one of Man City’s standout performers this season. The former Benfica and Monaco man has filled in admirably on the right of City’s midfield three, often shifting to a more advanced role on the right as a part of the front trio. The 24-year-old has impressed with his creativity, flawless passing and tireless running in what has been another wonderful season for the Citizens.
While the likes of David Silva, Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling have stolen the limelight with goals and assists, Bernardo has quietly played his part in the midfield to keep things ticking. The Portuguese has not only contributed massively with his pace and quality on the ball but he has also proven himself to be a great asset in terms of agility and sharpness on and off the ball.
He has shown that he can be creative between the lines, often making incisive runs and linking up with his teammates to create scoring opportunities. Blessed with wonderful vision and plenty of drive and determination, Bernardo is an absolute livewire in the midfield and in the final third. The 24-year-old has been spot on with his crossing from the wide areas, shooting and link-up play, whilst also proving his worth as a bona-fide goalscorer from the midfield.
Bernardo boasts of a pass accuracy percentage of 86.4 to go along with his 1.8 key passes, 1.1 dribbles, 2.3 long balls, 1.4 shots, 1.3 tackles and 0.5 interceptions per game, figures which speak volumes of his all-around contribution to the team. In other words, he is one of the indispensable cogs of Man City’s engine, one who is expected to play a key role in the years to come.
City have already reached great heights in the Premier League under Pep Guardiola, with the Citizens very much in the race to win their second consecutive domestic title. However, it is now time for them to replicate their success on the European front. They need to build a formidable squad to achieve their long-term goals and a wonderful asset like Bernardo Silva certainly has plenty to offer towards the growth and development of the club. That said, they should extend his stay at the earliest.