6 hours ago
2
Bernardo Silva has been appointed Manchester City captain this season after rejecting a number of offers to bring an end to eight years at the club.
In a marked change in policy, Pep Guardiola stepped in to choose his own leadership group ahead of the Club World Cup starting against Wydad AC.
City’s players and staff usually take a vote but Guardiola has overruled to give the armband to Silva in what appears likely to be his final season at the Etihad Stadium.
Silva – who has fielded interest from Saudi Arabia, while Benfica would love to welcome their academy product back - is out of contract next summer.
While the 30-year-old has already decided his future, he opted not to definitively confirm what that looks like.
‘I know what I'm going to do but it's not the time to talk about that,’ Silva said. ‘I'm very focused on my season. I'm very focused on performing well for Man City.
Midfielder Bernardo Silva has been appointed Manchester City's captain for the new season
Pep Guardiola has chosen Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias and Ruben Dias as Silva's lieutenants
Silva revealed that he has turned down interest from elsewhere to remain at City for the year
‘When the time is due I will talk about it. I have one year on my contract so obviously I can leave next season. This season for sure will be at City, I’m going to stay.
‘I've had options in the past and this year, like last year, my option is to stay at Man City.’
Silva’s commitment this season has delighted Guardiola, who wants the Portugal international – one of the players he has always been able to trust through his tenure – to lead the team.
Silva follows Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Ilkay Gundogan in being appointed captain, while Ruben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland will act as his deputies.
‘Bernardo has been incredible,’ Guardiola said. ‘Eight years, no injuries. Always in the bad moments he makes a step up.
‘He’s an example on the pitch. And when he has to say something to me or to the players, he says it for the best for the club.’
Silva added: ‘We talked a lot last season as a group about what happened and we learned a lot of very important lessons.
‘Hopefully we're never going to forget them, especially this season. We're not going to forget what happened last season and try to make things right.’
