“They can put this club exactly where it was” – Bernardo Silva makes Manchester City prediction amid exit expectation | OneFootball

Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva has relayed great belief in the squad’s young players to take the club back to title-winning ways in the years to come.

Silva is set to leave City this summer as he approaches the end of his contract, with John Stones, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, Jack Grealish, Mateo Kovacic, James Trafford, Kalvin Phillips and Rodri all in contention to move on from the Etihad Stadium.

Hugo Viana has orchestrated a significant revamp of Pep Guardiola‘s squad since replacing Txiki Begiristain as City’s director of football last summer and the Blues are set for another busy transfer window this summer.

Having led City to their first piece of silverware in two seasons after beating Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final last week, Silva has predicted great things for the next generation of Manchester City stars as he prepares to for a new chapter in his career.

Bernardo: The new guys are really, really good!

In a new appearance on the official Manchester City podcast, Silva has waxed lyrical of the new signings the club has made as well as the recent crop of academy graduates who are flourishing in the first-team ranks.

“I see the same hunger to succeed in the new guys,” the Manchester City skipper said. “Now they know the standards of this club, the standard required, that we set in the last eight or nine years. It gives them even more hunger to go for it and to say, ‘Look, we’re also capable of that’.

“This club in the last years, we proved if you want to be a part of it, you need to be a winner. These guys that have joined in the last two or three years, they’re really, really good. They can put this club exactly where it was – a place where we can fight for titles every season. I see the fire in their eyes and that’s a very good thing.

“I try to be an example on the pitch, in every training session. The main thing is to respect each other, create roles and standards, be very competitive. I remember when Riyad (Mahrez) was here performing at such a high level – I knew had to match and try beat that.

“Every player has a different personality and character, but Fernandinho and Vincent Kompany – my first captains – were very good examples. Not only in the way they welcomed me but to make sure I felt at home from day one.

“That’s what we as older guys try to make newer guys feel. I want them to feel relaxed and comfortable to maximise their talents because they have huge talent.”

Trophy parades are what football is about, says Bernardo

Reminiscing over the array of trophy parades Manchester City have enjoyed under Guardiola over the years, Silva added: “It’s what football is about. What you want is your fans to feel proud and feel you gave everything.

“And when you win, even more! That’s all you fight for. Knowing the story of this football club, what they’ve gone through, having to watch Man United win so much and so much, and now since I’ve been here we always finished above them in the Premier League.

“For us to be above them, the feeling we give them, it’s really nice! To see that appreciation, it’s really good we make them feel proud and make them feel happy.”

Having recently led City to Carabao Cup glory, Silva will be desperate to have a successful finish to the Premier League and FA Cup run-ins for another trophy parade as he looks set to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer.