Bernardo Silva breaks into top-10 all-time Manchester City appearance makers | OneFootball

Bernardo Silva made his 437th appearance for Manchester City in the derby on Saturday afternoon to become the outright 10th player to play in the most games for the Premier League side.

After drawing level with David Silva and Willie Donachie against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg on Tuesday night, the Portugal international was named in Pep Guardiola’s side for the 198th Manchester derby, putting him into the club’s top 10. 

The Portugal international was named club captain by Guardiola last summer after playing an integral part in an unprecedented era of dominance. Since his move from AS Monaco in 2017, the 31-year-old has won six Premier League titles, a Champions League, two FA Cups and four League Cups. 

Bernardo Silva’s talent and leadership has been cherished by Pep Guardiola as the midfielder has been selected more times than any other player throughout the Catalan’s managerial career. And during that spell, Guardiola has won 18 major titles. 

Having begun life in England as a playmaker who seemingly never fails to impress, Silva has since proven his versatility by performing across midfield, in the forward positions and even at left-back on a handful of occasions.

Pep Guardiola frequently praises Bernardo Silva’s work ethic and tactical understanding, and even possesses an ability to head the ball which the Catalan head coach drew comparisons to Lionel Messi after a UEFA Champions League victory over Villarreal. 

“I’m pleased that Erling scored again; and pleased that Bernardo made an incredible header again. It’s a little bit like [Lionel] Messi, it’s a hammer. They have a hammer in their neck, they are so good. They are small but they are so good with their head contact,” Guardiola said, as relayed by GOAL. 

Shortly before he arrived in England in the 2017/18 season, Manchester City were undergoing their first rebuild under Pep Guardiola that would lead the club to glory. He played 53 times across all competitions and only missed three Premier League games that season. 

City became the first and only ever side to reach 100 points in a single English top-flight campaign, and that history was largely down to Bernardo Silva’s incredible influence in midfield, on the wing or in the final third; he scored nine times and contributed ten assists. 

The next season was backed up by more triumph, this time through the achievement of winning a domestic quadruple where Bernardo Silva featured in 51 games and scoring 13 goals while providing just as many assists. 

Bernardo Silva’s best season came under the Treble-winning period where he played 55 of the 61 games, including all 13 on the way to UEFA Champions League success. One of that year’s most iconic fan chants centred around the work ethic of Silva on the wing. 

A FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup came in the 2023/24 season, the same campaign when City capped off four Premier League titles in a row – the first time a club have ever achieved the feat.