PEP GUARDIOLA APPLAUDED Bernardo Silva for his performance in Manchester City’s 2-0 derby win over Manchester United and heralded the Portuguese midfielder as one of Europe’s best players.
Silva joined City ahead of the 2017-18 campaign from Monaco to much fanfare and had a solid, if unspectacular, debut campaign, often finding himself used as a substitute.
But this term he has truly raised his game to another level, finding himself involved in 14 Premier League goals — including a strike against United on Wednesday — and impressing with his all-round play.
Although perhaps best known for his ability on the ball, Silva has also been regularly praised by Guardiola for his work-rate.
And, following the win that could prove crucial in City’s title defence, Guardiola again saluted the Portuguese midfielder, who has been named in the Professional Footballers’ Association’s (PFA) Premier League Team of the Year and nominated for the main individual prize.
“Bernardo is having an incredible season, incredible,” Guardiola told reporters. “In the second half [against United] he played like a holding midfielder.
“A holding midfielder… Bernardo. It doesn’t matter, he fought with Paul Pogba and everyone. It’s not just [against United], it’s not just his goal, it’s all the season, it was a masterclass, a masterpiece every single game. It was incredible.
Bernardo is a joyous guy. Of course, he can play right or left. For example, the game against Swansea City [in the FA Cup], he played as a left winger and he made the goal and an assist.
“It was offside, the goal from Sergio [Aguero], but he made the assist, and after he played as a holding midfielder. He can play as an attacking midfielder [as well], he’s such an intelligent player, with his work ethic.
“He’s a fighter. He’s one of the best players in Europe. One of the best.”
Gavan Casey and Murray Kinsella are joined by Andy Dunne to get stuck into last weekend’s Champions Cup semi-finals.:
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Eriksen has the class. Deserve their top 4 spot with Son flying. Better suited to Cup Football for sure, 2 legged and a potential one-off just COULD BE!
Eriksen would be perfect for Liverpool or Utd or even a successor for,David silva at city but can see him at Madrid next season quality player
@Aj Leahy: he wouldn’t make the Liverpool team no offense his a stand out player but where would he play
@Who ate all Depays: sorry Jordan Henderson is better
@Aj Leahy: I support Sheffield it’s I don’t watch Liverpool but Henderson is goin ok at the moment from what I’ve heard
@Who ate all Depays:
He’d walk into any team in the PL lad. Sheffield United look like they’ve done enough. Leeds blew it. Villa will bate them too.
@Nollaig Elliot: Sheffield utd play great football I wouldn’t watch the premier league only the odd time mcgoldrick is in top form
@Who ate all Depays: in all fairness if you don’t watch Liverpool or the premier league how can you say if he would or wouldn’t get in the liverpool team? Personally could see eriksen go to Barca, another product of ajax
@Aj Leahy: Why would you think he wants to leave THFC for a team he will soon beat? COYS
@Who ate all Depays: absolute rubbish..this guy could play for any team in the world ..if the Liverpool players are irreplaceable then I presume klopp will be keeping the cash in the bank this summer!
Seriously could you imagine this guy threading passes through for Liverpools front three..would be hard to stop..
I’m a spurs fan and it kills me to say I think he’ll be off to Spain in the summer!
Brighton looking to be in trouble at this stage , hughton one of the nice guys in football , his old club spurs , heaping on the agony .
@Tricksy: Brighton should stay up. I think it’ll be Cardiff that goes
My honest opinion on the relegation is Cardiff do not deserve to go down they have been robbed of points against the top 6 and with Emiliano sala tragic accident I respect Cardiff for coming out and giving every game there best fair play to the group of players
@Who ate all Depays: thought you don’t what the prem???
@Aj Leahy: watch
Spurs deserved the win playing against a team that parked the bus .brighton deserve to be relegated