One Manchester City defender is crucial to the team ‘playing much better’ says Bernardo Silva | OneFootball

Bernardo Silva has claimed that the availability and performances of one Manchester City defender has a significantly positive knock-on effect on the wider group.

The City captain’s remarks come amid a noticeable improvement in the Premier League giants’ defensive consistency, following a campaign that saw Pep Guardiola’s side struggle for rhythm and solidity at the back.

After dealing with a flurry of injuries and rotation across the back line last year, Manchester City appear to have rediscovered their hallmark control – much of which, Bernardo Silva believes, stems from one particular player’s presence.

John Stones’ renewed fitness and availability have coincided with City returning to stability and balance, with his performances also earning him a return to the England squad under Thomas Tuchel after fitness concerns that clouded his international and club prospects.

Recent reports have claimed that City could aim for Stones to remain at the Etihad Stadium beyond this season, however Pep Guardiola has made it clear that the club will “wait and see” how the 31-year-old’s fitness holds up before formally deciding on a contract extension.

Speaking to reporters this week, as relayed by MailSport’s Jack Gaughan, Bernardo Silva spoke of an improvement in Manchester City’s defensive performances this season, affecting their stability in a positive manner.

“We’ve found a bit more of our rhythm. We found the stability at the back. That gives the freedom for the guys at front to play in a different way,” said the Manchester City captain.

“I always say that when you’re stable at the back, when the team defends properly – and we’re now defending quite well – then that’s when you can win football games. That’s what we didn’t have for a long time last season, and that’s what we’re getting back to, having that stability.”

One player who has seen an up-turn in his own availability this season both for club and country is John Stones, and the club’s captain believes the England international provides a rare footballing intelligence for the side.

“John gives us something that is difficult to find in terms of a central defender. It’s my ninth season at Man City and when John is fit, the team always plays much better. It’s not a coincidence. He’s a special player,” said Bernardo Silva.

He continued, “He just needs to take care of his body and make sure that he’s available. Because I’m pretty sure that if he’s available, he’s going to be really important for us.”

With Manchester City’s defensive hierarchy currently in transition – following Manuel Akanji’s exit to Inter and 19-year-old Vítor Reis waiting for his full first-team integration while he ventures out on loan at Girona – Stones’ leadership and tactical awareness have become even more vital.

Pep Guardiola is expected to lean heavily on the Englishman’s presence in both the Premier League and Champions League this season should he remain fit and available, as City aim to reclaim their dominant rhythm heading into the winter schedule.

Should John Stones do just that through the remainder of the ongoing campaign, both his contract extension and his role as a foundational piece of Pep Guardiola’s tactical framework appear all but certain.