The time is right for the next crop to make their mark at Manchester City as Bernardo says farewell | OneFootball

Bernardo Silva will make his 460th and final appearance for Manchester City this Sunday against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium. It seems hard to believe, but during Bernardo’s time at the club, he has only missed nine games due to injury. That is an exceptional record, as is the legacy Bernardo will leave at City. The Portuguese international has become a club legend at City. Alongside Ilkay Gundogan, John Stones, Ederson, Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne, and others, together with Pep Guardiola, they have all laid the foundation for the next crop of players at Manchester City to pick up from.

Bernardo Silva says it is time for the next generation to make their mark at Manchester City.

Ahead of his final game with Manchester City, Bernardo Silva sat down with mancity.com in a wide-ranging interview that covered his time at the club. The current City captain explained that the time is right for him to leave the club. Also, he said that it is now time for a new generation of City players to have their moment, just as Bernardo Silva has for the past nine years. He explained: “It’s a mix of things in terms of trophies and what I personally achieved here. It’s never enough, but I feel that we won a lot, our generation. It’s time for these young guys to have their moment while for me personally, it’s an opportunity to go a bit closer to my family.”

“It’s been quite a long time that I’ve been apart, and I want to be a bit closer to them. I also want a new challenge. Even though I love the football club and I loved the nine years here, I feel it’s the right moment for me to have a new challenge in my life.”

Bernardo Silva has shown City’s next crop of players the City way this season.

It has been no surprise to see Bernardo Silva be one of Manchester City’s most consistent players this season. The Portuguese international has been that throughout his time at the club. This season, Bernardo Silva was given the Manchester City captaincy by Pep Guardiola, and it has been a role that he has played to perfection. Time and time again this season, Bernardo has led from the front. He has helped City complete the FA Cup and Carabao Cup double, and along the way, he has shown Manchester City’s next crop of players the City way.

There is no telling what influence learning from Bernardo Silva will have on players such as Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi, Antoine Semenyo, and others. Learning from a leader such as Bernardo Silva, who drives the standard at the club, should prove to be invaluable. With Bernardo Silva and John Stones set to leave, it will be their time to take Manchester City into a new era. The lessons from Bernardo they have learned about what City stands for should ensure that they are able to pick up from where Bernardo Silva left off.

Bernardo Silva will play his final game for Manchester City against Aston Villa this Sunday, alongside fellow City great and his great mate in John Stones. After giving absolutely everything to City, and winning everything along the way, the time is right for Bernardo to depart as a City legend. Also, the time is coming for the next crop at City to take the baton from their inspirational captain. He has shown them the way this season, and they will be well-placed to now try ans create their own legacy at Manchester City.