SILVA: LET’S GO FOR GOLD
Man City’s Portugal star is revelling in their glory and says: I want title this season.. and the next.. and the next
BERNARDO SILVA knows just how special it would be for Manchester City to clinch the Premier League title against their arch local rivals.
City host Manchester United on April 7 and can inflict the ultimate indignity on Jose Mourinho and his players by confirming their status as champions that day at the Etihad Stadium.
“It would be special for the fans, because there’s a big rivalry between the two clubs,” said Silva. “We just want to win the competition because it means a lot, and if you can win it against a big rival, it’s even more special.”
P e p Guardiola’s rampant City are 16 points clear have United’s record title-winning margin of 18 points in their sights, as well as Chelsea’s double of 95 points and 103 goals as they aim to rewrite history.
Silva admitted it would make winning the Prem in his first season even more special if they could set new records in the process.
Speaking ahead of Monday’s trip to Stoke, Silva said: “If you’d told me in August we’d arrive in March with a 16-point advantage over second place, I wouldn’t have believed you.
“So it means we’re doing an amazing job.
“Normally the Premier League is so competitive, with six clubs fighting for the title. So to have so many points and be so far ahead of the other opponents is great.” City’s imminent title triumph will be their third in seven years, although they have never managed to retain it. “That is a big motivation,” said Silva (below). “It’s not easy, but we want to win the title this season, do it again next season and the next, and the next. “We have a good squad and an amazing manager, however our rivals will probably change a few things, so it will be very tough. There’s United, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and also Liverpool, who are playing very well and building a good team as well. But we will try to build a legacy, because we feel we have the conditions to do it.”
Silva, a £43million summer signing from Monaco, endured a slow start to his City career but has grown in influence, starting 10 of their last 11 games.
The 23-year-old Portugal star has made 44 appearances in total this season, more than any other City player, and he also has an eye on the Champions League. “You have to be good, you have to be lucky, and the difference is in the details, so we’ll try and do out best to win it as well,” he added.
“As a big club, we want to compete with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, so to do that you have to go to the semi-finals, the final, and try to win it.”