![\"Bernardo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_GettyImages-2262355057.jpg\")
<\/p>\nManchester City captain Bernardo Silva could leave the Etihad Stadium when his contract expires this summer.<\/p>\n
Bernardo Silva celebrates during Manchester City’s victory over Newcastle United(Image: Simon Stacpoole\/Offside\/Offside via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Pep Guardiola is never short of praise for his Manchester City players. Win, lose or draw, Guardiola is the biggest cheerleader for this squad. However, there is one star who arguably receives more praise than most.<\/p>\n
Captain Bernardo Silva moved to City in 2017 and quickly became a fan favourite. Kevin De Bruyne<\/a> and David Silva<\/a> may have stolen the midfield headlines but Bernardo’s<\/a> quality has never been lost on Guardiola. “At the end we were guided by our incredible player, one of the best ever to play or train – our captain Bernardo,” the City head coach said after the Liverpool win.<\/p>\n “We follow him, I follow him too. He puts the team in front of himself. He does things through his own example. Everybody follows him, me the first. He scored the first one from the Erling [Haaland] assist, and made the assist for Matheus [Nunes] for the penalty.”<\/p>\n FOLLOW OUR MAN CITY FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest news and analysis via the MEN\u2019s Manchester City Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n Try MEN Premium NOW for just \u00a31<\/a><\/p>\n Guardiola would love nothing more than for Bernardo to sign a new contract at City<\/a>. The captain has never been afraid to discuss his future and has looked set to depart on a number of occasions.<\/p>\n Bernardo has been ever-present this season and his versatility is a precious quality for any team. “[It is] so important,” Guardiola<\/a> replied in 2023 when asked about versatile players. “That helps us to have a bigger and a longer squad.<\/p>\n “We have players like Bernardo and Phil [Foden] who can play in three or four different positions if we need it.”<\/p>\n Buy Carabao Cup Final VIP tickets<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> From \u00a31,599<\/p>\n Seat Unique<\/p>\n Buy tickets here<\/a><\/p>\n The Carabao Cup Final will see Arsenal v Manchester City at London’s Wembley Stadium this March.<\/p>\n Antoine Semenyo<\/a> was the in-demand forward ahead of this season’s January transfer window and you can see why. The Ghana international can play on the left, right or down the middle if needed.<\/p>\n City won that transfer battle and there are plenty more versatile players in their squad.<\/p>\n Nico O’Reilly<\/a> graduated from the academy last season. He made nine appearances in the second half of the Premier League season, announcing himself at this level. But this season he has really started to flourish.<\/p>\n Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate<\/a> or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings<\/p>\n After new signing Rayan Ait-Nouri picked up an injury, O’Reilly took his chance. Despite splashing more than \u00a336m on Ait-Nouri, Guardiola stuck with the youngster.<\/p>\n When Ait-Nouri rediscovered his form, O’Reilly was moved into midfield – arguably the strongest area in the City squad. Has that fazed him? Absolutely not.<\/p>\n Nico O’Reilly celebrates scoring Manchester City’s second goal against Newcastle United<\/p>\n O’Reilly took his brace superbly against Newcastle and he is guaranteed to start at Leeds next weekend. What’s even more impressive is that he only turns 21 next month.<\/p>\n It is also worth remembering he has played just three senior matches in the midfield role, although he did progress through the age groups as a midfielder.<\/p>\n![\"MANCHESTER,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_GettyImages-2260028418.jpg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"Nico](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1_GettyImages-2262848708.jpg\")
<\/p>\n