Who could replace Bernardo Silva at Manchester City? | OneFootball

After nine illustrious seasons in Manchester, Bernardo Silva has departed the blue half of the city. City’s captain leaves with a staggering 20 trophies to his name, being a pivotal player in Pep Guardiola’s ever changing sides.

Boasting an exceptional legacy at the club, ranking third in all time Premier League appearances for the Cityzens (302), alongside holding the title for most wins as a City player within the modern era of the English top-flight.

A fan and a manager’s favourite, but who can fill the boots of the Portuguese maestro?

Ibrahim Maza

Ibrahim Maza’s services were acquired by Bayer Leverkusen in the previous summer, joining from Hertha Berlin for a fee of £10.4m.

The 20-year-old appeared 44 times this campaign for the German side, performing primarily in the right sided number ten role of Kasper Hjulmand’s 3-4-2-1 system. Maza is also capable of playing in a deeper role of midfield, and also on the right hand side of attack, similarly to his predecessor.

Maza notched five goals and six assists for Leverkusen this campaign, asserting himself as one of the shining lights of the Bundesliga, having been nominated for rookie of the season in the German top flight.

During the 2025/26 campaign, the Algerian cemented himself in the Bundesliga, Champions League and for his country. As the 20-year-old provided two assists in Leverkusen’s Champions League campaign, alongside appearing for his nation at the African Cup Of Nations, where he scored twice and assisted once.

Maza thrives as a technician, where he can get on the ball and aim to make something happen, whether that is taking a shot from distance, a chance or to simply control the ball.

The 20-year-old’s best attribute lies in the dribbling department, where he ranks in the top 6% for successful dribbles in the Bundesliga. His overall ability in attacking and defensive areas allows him to thrive, making him the perfect successor for City’s club captain.

If the 20-year-old is to depart Leverkusen this summer, City look strong candidates to be the next club for the Algerian star, having been linked with the midfielder since April. Technically confident, tactically flexible and defensively astute, Maza looks to be the long-term replacement for City’s Portuguese icon.

Elliot Anderson

Anderson has had a stellar season in the Premier League, cementing himself as one of the best midfield talents in the English top flight.

The talented midfielder has featured 49 times for Forest this campaign, playing in every single Premier League fixture thus far, alongside helping the Tricky Trees to reach the Europa League semi-final. Anderson performs primarily as a number six in a double pivot for Vitor Pereira’s Forest side, but also offers versatility in a further attacking role in midfield.

Anderson has scored four and assisted five – at the time of writing – this campaign, a step up from the two goals and six assists from his previous campaign. Alongside an increase in attacking form, the 23-year-old has consolidated his position in the England national team.

Proving as an essential figure alongside Declan Rice in the engine room for Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions, where he looks to be a certain starter for his country in America, Mexico and Canada next month.

Whilst the England international may be seen as a more defensive alternative to Silva, Anderson acts as a controller, dictating the tempo of the game, almost identically to City’s number twenty.

The 23-year-old tops Premier League metrics for recoveries, defensive contributions, duels, successful dribbles and successful passes for defensive midfielders, asserting himself as a defensive and attacking contributor.

Alongside his exceptional statistics, Anderson has been an ever-present since arriving at the City Ground, playing 74/75 available Premier League fixtures.

With the fitness doubts to other defensive midfield options Mateo Kovacic and Rodri, attaining Anderson’s services will be crucial for revolutionising the Manchester City midfield, providing the club with a consistent figure and leader for the club for years to come.

After an impressive campaign for the Forest midfielder, it looks likely that Anderson will depart the City ground in the summer transfer window. At 23, Anderson still has plenty of years to develop his talent and midfield prowess, similar to his predecessor who also joined the Cityzens at this period of his career.

A proven Premier League option, alongside being strong in defensive and attacking areas, he looks to be the ready-made option to replace Bernardo Silva at Manchester City.

Phil Foden

Academy graduate Phil Foden has struggled to nail down a specific position in Pep Guardiola’s ever-changing Manchester City systems.

Coming through the City ranks as a number ten, the Stockport born star acted as an understudy for the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Bernardo Silva, before switching to a wider position.

Since the departure of the former, the 26-year-old has found his position back centrally. However, with the abundance of talent in the City midfield with the likes of Rodri, Cherki, Silva and O’Reilly, the academy star has struggled for consistent starts in the Cityzens’ side.

Like Silva, Foden has found himself playing in the deeper roles in midfield this season. Due to his talents in receiving, scanning, ball progression and dribbling, he acts as the number eight to drive attacks forward.

This modification in position can help to enhance Foden’s chances for game time following the departure of this captain, helping to solidify his place as an essential asset to Manchester City once more. The 25-year-old has an impressive 12 goals and assists in 22 Premier League starts this campaign, playing in a variety of different roles just like his Portuguese teammate.

This alteration to the role for the City academy graduate could prove meaningful in preparation for City’s life after Bernardo Silva. The pair both boast a similar play-style: left footed, slight build, technically focused and tactically flexible. Foden would be the most cost-effective – and the most direct – way to replace the Portuguese star.