Every good story comes to an end, as Bernardo Silva’s time at Manchester City is set to come to an end after this season.
He joined the club in 2017 from AS Monaco in a £43.5 million deal on a five-year contract, which was later extended and has kept him at the club until now.
Speaking to the media after City’s 4-0 FA Cup win against Liverpool, assistant manager Pep Lijnder had only good things to say about the 31-year-old, describing him as one of a kind and someone who can never be replaced.
“You never replace a player with the same kind of player, because they don’t exist. Bernardo Silva is unique,” said Lijnders, who was filling in for Pep Guardiola due to the manager serving a touchline suspension.
“The way he controls games, the way he moves, the way he receives, the way he leads, the way he sees the solutions, all these things.
“You never search for a replacement of one type of player, you search for what is needed to grow with the team and somebody who can fit in the first XI.
“And then you hope with our academy, with the young players we already bought, that they can make that step as well in the midfield positions. But if you see our young boys in the academy, they have to make that step and to grow.
“But the most important is that the seniors will stay for a long time, that they stay, that the core is there and around that you can move.
“But it will be hard, because as I said, in the game, when he’s not playing, you will see how he’s missed. And that’s one game. Imagine a season?
“But every good story comes to an end.
“I hope he enjoys the last months, it is only six weeks, and he has a good farewell and he deserves all that attention as well.”
Silva’s last game will be on May 24, 2026, against Aston Villa. The
The Portugal star is still considering his options as he has not announced his next move. He has been linked to four Clubs. Barcelona, Juventus, Saudi Arabia, and MLS.
