This Manchester City squad can reach the heights of their predecessors according to their captain | OneFootball

So far, the 25/26 season for Manchester City has seen clear signs of quality from Pep Guardiola’s side, interspersed with moments of frustration. That was to be expected from a team that is learning the Pep Guardiola way and in the process of replacing club legends like Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Ederson, and others. There have been real signs of progress from Pep Guardiola’s side this season. Manchester City’s Carabao Cup victory and the manner of their performance against Arsenal at Wembley is a testament to this.

An issue for the current Manchester City team is that they are at times compared to the all-conquering City side that came before them. It is an unfair comparison, as this iteration of Manchester City is forging its own path. Comparing them to a team that scaled every mountain possible is typically going to be a path that leads to disappointment. However, Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva believes that the players who have recently joined the club have the right amount of hunger to emulate Manchester City’s previous heroes. That is a glowing endorsement from a player who knows exactly what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

Bernardo Silva has high hopes for this crop of Manchester City players.

Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva had high praise for the players that City have signed over the past 18 months. Bernardo Silva believes that this crop of City players are winners and know what the club now stands for. Speaking on the official Manchester City podcast, the City captain explained: “I see the same hunger to succeed in the new guys. 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.”

The signs are there that this City side is on the precipice of success.

Bernardo Silva has given glowing praise to the players who have signed for Manchester City since January 2025. City have undertaken a sizable rebuild of their squad, and while at times it has taken Pep Guardiola’s new-look side time to adjust, there are clear and evident signs that this City side has what it takes to become a very special and successful team.

This Manchester City squad has now won its first trophy. That is a massive step for them to take. Their Carabao Cup triumph should now give Pep Guardiola’s squad the confidence and belief that they have what it takes to win competitions. There is no monetary value that can be placed on that experience. That is invaluable. Outside of that, at Wembley against Arsenal, they also proved that they can impose their will on a highly-fancied opponent. As much as City’s Carabao Cup success means a lot, that also means plenty.

The talent is there for this City side to progress as it matures. A team that has added James Trafford, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Abdukodir Khusanov, Marc Guehi, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Nico, Nico O’Reilly, Rayan Cherki, Omar Marmoush, and Antoine Semenyo, just to name a few, to its ranks is more than capable of taking the next step. Especially when you factor in that Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Phil Foden, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Matheus Nunes, and others know what it takes. This City side only needs a few minor tweaks to be fully formed. When it is, it will be a major headache for all of their opponents.

Final thoughts.

Bernardo Silva has shared his belief that this Manchester City squad has what it takes to follow in their predecessors footsteps. At times this season that has been clear to see. When this occurs is anyone’s guess, but you do feel that this City side isn’t far away from becoming a force once again.