Coach Pep Guardiola was remarkably open about it early this season: Bernardo Silva wants to leave Manchester City. The coach was not very enthusiastic about it, praised his protégé and emphasized that Silva’s new club would get “one of the best players in the world”. Reasons for the change request remained open and a matter of rumours. The Portuguese spoke up about this himself. The 27-year-old was not interested in sports, as was speculated in many places given Man City’s strong attacking midfield.
“I felt a bit alone in England and I wasn’t happy with my life,” Silva told the newspaper.TheTimes“. It was about the time in lockdown. He was able to have his girlfriend with him in Manchester at some point, but the isolation away from home gnawed at him. “And if you’re not happy, you’re not doing your job as well as when you’re happy.”
With Silva, Silva & Rösler: top scorers in Man City’s Premier League history
Physically he felt good, Silva emphasized, but he turned to his employer. “I had a conversation with the club because I wasn’t happy with my life here, I wanted to be closer to my family.” But he assured: “It wasn’t the club. I love Manchester City. I love my teammates, I love the fans. I love the club.” And nothing happened after the crisis talks. “I stayed,” said Silva, “and I will always do my best for this club as long as I stay here.”
How long he will be part of the “Citizens” squad is still unclear. Portugal’s footballer of the year 2019 has a long-term contract until 2025. But he also said: “At the end of the season I will sit down with City and see what is best for both sides.” Now you have to concentrate on collecting the next trophies. The Champions League title is still there, as is the FA Cup and the English Championship – it would be Silva’s fourth with the Skyblues.
Sané vor Silva: Manchester City’s most expensive purchases
21 – Edin Dzeko – 2010/11 for €37m from VfL Wolfsburg
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