Manchester City made a quick and strong start to the 2017 summer transfer window, signing Bernardo Silva from AS Monaco before June had even arrived.
Fresh from an incredible season with the Red and Whites who won the Ligue 1 title while making it to the semi-finals of the Champions League, unsurprisingly, Bernardo’s arrival was one that was well-greeted by supporters.
https://twitter.com/Beardamendi/status/868163653559865344
Txiki madness has begun.
— Joosep (@js10mcfc) May 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/Everything_City/status/868163659104747529
PEP MADNESS pic.twitter.com/0vhj22hyMG
— C (@FodenFlair) May 26, 2017
Bernardo Silva is a quality addition to my already great Manchester City FC
— PRINCE (@PrincedomJ) May 26, 2017
We now have our own little MESSI
— الهولوكوست (@ELcruyff) May 26, 2017
What a coup from Pep & @ManCity so early in the transfer window. This transfer will send ripples in the footballing world #WelcomeBernardo
— Shiva Chettri (@shivachettri) May 26, 2017
If Bernardo is half as good as David we're onto a winner
— Josh (@joshcop_) May 26, 2017
However, with Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane already occupying the wide positions, as exciting as the signing of Bernardo was, it was hard to see where Pep Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain’s latest attacking addition would fit in.
A season and Premier League title later, though, Bernardo has since gone on to cement a place in Manchester City’s midfield.
Some of the 24-year-old’s best football at Monaco came when he was playing on the right with his ability to cut in with his left foot causing constant problems for defenders up and down France.
Yet Guardiola, for most of this season anyway, has been using Bernardo in a more central role and to devastating effect.
The positions he is taking up and the spaces he is finding in the middle of the opposition’s final third has been Messi-like.
In this moment of time, even in a team that boasts the likes of David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo looks like the best midfielder Guardiola has at disposal.
If Manchester City can see off Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title, the Portugal international will undoubtedly be the next outstanding factor after Sergio Aguero, who has been playing at another level of late.
