“These young guys need time” – Bernardo Silva cites squad changes to explain Manchester City struggles | OneFootball

Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva has outlined personnel changes in the squad to explain his side’s struggles this season.

The Blues have endured an indifferent campaign in their first full season under Hugo Viana, who replaced Txiki Begiristain as City’s director of football in 2025 and has since made sweeping changes to Pep Guardiola‘s ranks.

City remain in the running for an unprecedented quadruple but are hanging on in the Premier League title race and UEFA Champions League Round of 16 by the skin of their teeth.

Their title hopes took another hit at the weekend as Premier League leaders Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the tree to nine points by beating Everton – whereas City were held to their second successive league draw by West Ham in London.

Bernardo Silva: Squad changes key reason for this season’s struggles

Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva has dissected his side’s inconsistencies over the course of the campaign ahead of the return leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie against Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

“I do believe that having so many different players in such a short term doesn’t help, because from my experience here (for) nine years,” Silva said in a press conference on Monday.

“Three years ago, when I played with (Ilkay) Gundogan, Kevin (De Bruyne), Rodri, Kyle (Walker) – because we played together so many years, we knew exactly what the other player wanted, and the qualities of the guy right next to you.

“Right now, these young guys need time to adapt playing with each other and I think plays a major part. No excuses, because we should’ve done much better in some moments this season, obviously. But I do think that plays a major part.”

We need to have a ‘Manchester City night’, says Silva

Silva has rallied his teammates to put in the performance of their lives against Real Madrid on Tuesday evening as City bid for a historic remontada against the most successful side in UEFA Champions League history.

Asked by journalists whether City need to play in a pragmatic, ruthless manner to keep ship tight at the back and make the most of their chances in attack, Silva explained that he wants his side to play their football and not overthink.

“I think we need to have a Manchester City night because we’ve also had many of those, where many people didn’t believe in us and things have gone very well,” the Portugal international added.

Guardiola has indicated that he has one doubt over his starting XI against Real Madrid on Tuesday night but that he will not tinker much with his return leg selection, having drawn strong criticism for deploying a two-man midfield of Silva and Rodri in Madrid last week.