Lions are Silva main attraction
vSemi-final, kick-off 7.45pm
BERNARDO SILVA admits a showdown between Portugal and England on Sunday is his dream Nations League final.
The Manchester City midfielder would love to come up against Raheem Sterling and his other Treble-winning Emirates team-mates.
“First, we have to be focused on the game against Switzerland, which is very important,” said the Portugal star.
“But of course, it would be great to play against some of my team-mates.
“These are players I have lived and shared so many beautiful moments with.”
The 24-year-old is hungry for silverware at international level after Portugal’s Euro 2016 success.
He added: “You always want to win titles, and of course having a great season with my club gives me confidence coming into the national side.
“So it would be brilliant to finish this season with a title for Portugal, too.”
Cristiano Ronaldo will be making his first appearance in the competition and coach Fernando Santos may also give a debut to Benfica teenager Joao Felix, who is a £120million transfer target for City, Manchester United and Real Madrid. RAHEEM STERLING can go on to become the most lethal player on the planet.
That is the belief of England teammate Fabian Delph, who joined Manchester City at the same time as Sterling in 2015 and has watched his progress with wonder. Sterling has become one of the biggest stars in Europe, making the £50million City paid Liverpool for him seem an absolute steal.
The 24-year-old is set to win his 50th cap tomorrow when England face Holland in a Nations League semi-final in Portugal.
He has won five major honours with Pep Guardiola’s side, including successive Premier League titles, as well as helping the Three Lions reach a World Cup semi-final.
But Delph, 29, says there is much more to come from his close friend – and that he is driving him on to be one of the best of all time. The former Aston Villa midfielder said: “I joined City with Raheem, so for me to see Raheem’s development and to push him, to be that voice in his ear, I still felt very much part of it. He’s an amazing young man and people forget he’s only 24. “When we both signed he was 19 and he physically looked like a little baby.
“People always questioned what type of player he would be and whether he would go to the next level, but I was like, ‘This kid has everything, once he finds his path and what works for him, you’re going to see something incredible’.
“I believe he’s operating at about 80 per cent, so if he can push himself a little more – which he will because his mindset is very good – in the next couple of years the sky’s the limit.
“I’m speaking from knowing Raheem since he was 19 and seeing his progression. Right now, he’s one of the best players in the world.”
Sterling has earned plaudits off the pitch this season too, after leading the campaign against racism in football.
He stepped up the fight when abused from the stands during a game at Chelsea in December and was also a target of racist chanting during England’s Euro 2020 qualifier in Montenegro in March.
Delph insists Sterling has the mental strength to handle the bigots and whatever is thrown at him, adding: “I’ve watched him mature a lot over the years, he’s still the same guy who I met when he was 19.
“The only difference is people are paying attention to what type of person he is and trying to know Raheem a little more.
“Everyone can see how he’s kind and humble and what a good player he is. He has the strongest mindset I’ve ever come across in football. Nothing fazes Raheem. He’s very confident in himself. He’s a great person and very dedicated to his craft.”
Delph insists there is no chance of Sterling resting on his laurels, and will not allow him to if his mate ever looks like stagnating.
He added: “I’m more experienced, older than him, although he’s probably played twice as many games as me.
“There will be regular pats on the back, motivating him, giving him good advice and telling him to be confident.
“But he’s always had the mindset that he will be one of the best world.
“For the last four or five years he’s never questioned himself and I’ve never questioned him.
“He won’t rest on that either. He seems to let his football do the talking.
“The last two seasons have been incredible for him, but before that I saw a lot of signs that he was going to become the player he is today.
“And while I’m still with him, or while I’m still in contact with him, I’m going to be pushing him daily because I know he’s got another 20 per cent in him.” players in the