Bernardo Silva has received a glowing report from Pep Guardiola this week over the decision that led to him becoming the new Manchester City captain.

The Portuguese playmaker was confirmed as Kevin De Bruyne’s successor earlier this summer after the Belgian’s departure brought an end to his spell as skipper, with the iconic midfielder joining Napoli upon the expiry of his Etihad Stadium contract.

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For many supporters, Bernardo Silva’s appointment came as both a surprise and a delight, given his reputation as one of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted and versatile lieutenants over the past eight seasons.

Silva, who joined Manchester City from AS Monaco in the summer of 2017, has consistently been a cornerstone of Guardiola’s system, demonstrating unmatched adaptability across midfield and attacking roles.

He has featured in virtually every major triumph of the Pep era, from multiple Premier League titles to UEFA Champions League glory in 2023. Despite being linked heavily with moves away in recent summers – particularly to Barcelona and PSG – Silva’s commitment has remained unwavering, and his importance to the squad has only grown.

The 31-year-old has also been one of the most durable players in Guardiola’s tenure. Even during the difficult 2024/25 campaign, when City struggled through a poor run of form in November and December, Silva was a constant presence, offering both reliability and leadership.

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With younger names such as Oscar Bobb, and new signing Rayan Cherki emerging in the squad, Pep Guardiola’s decision to hand Bernardo Silva the armband also signals a bridge between Manchester City’s established core and its future stars.

Speaking on a new episode of Sky Sports’ ‘One on One’ podcast, Guardiola was quizzed on the decision to name Bernardo Silva as the new captain of Manchester City, following Kevin De Bruyne’s exit from the club.

“I chose for one reason; last season when we were in big, big trouble – results in November, December, January, we didn’t win games – always he was there. Always he was there,” Guardiola admitted.

“Training every day, massage, exhausted, we had just 13 or 14 players in that moment plus Academy, and every three days we lost a game, lost a game, lost a game, lost a game, and always he was there, was there, and was there.

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“And in my period here, he’s the player that has played most games and most minutes, so always he has been available. For his nature, physicality, and generosity, when he doesn’t play, always has the biggest smile, tries to help.”

Guardiola continued, “If he plays at left-back, he’ll play at left-back. If I want to play him right-back, he’ll play right-back. Right-winger, he’ll play there. Holding midfielder. It doesn’t matter the position, always he’s thinking what is best for the team.

“And with all these attributes, I said, ‘He will be a good captain!’ And he’s been a really, really good captain.”

Offering further discussions around the importance of having vocal leaders, and having a group of core leaders within a wider group, Pep Guardiola said, “When one team has one leader and one leader [only], it will be a s**t team. Everyone has his own responsibility.

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“A team who has followers, Pep says this and everyone has to do it, NO. Confront me, tell me you don’t agree, that we should maybe do differently. I try to convince them, I don’t say you have to do that.

“I tell them, ‘Look what will happen IF we do that’, and after they can visualise and say, ‘Oh yeah, here we will be better!’ That is our role, and after in the game, in the team, there has to be a lot, a lot of players – especially in bad moments – that make a step forward. This is what we want.”

Bernardo Silva’s appointment as captain also marks a significant moment in Manchester City’s transition, with long-term leaders such as Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, and Fernandinho moving on in recent years.

The armband passing to a figure like Bernardo Silva underlines Pep Guardiola’s desire for continuity and experience, while still keeping the collective leadership model at the heart of his squad.

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Looking ahead, Bernardo Silva’s captaincy could be crucial in guiding City’s new generation through a challenging campaign as they attempt to reclaim the Premier League title.

His bond with both Guardiola and the dressing room, as well as his proven commitment during times of adversity, suggests that City have chosen a figure capable of steering the team through both highs and lows in the months ahead.