‘I LOVE HIM’: BERNARDO FUELS CITY’S TITLE TRIUMPH

Bernardo Silva emerged as the understated driving force behind Manchester City’s Premier League title triumph after the Portugal playmaker finally won over Pep Guardiola.

While the two major player of the year awards in England went to his City teammate Raheem Sterling and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, Bernardo has delivered a sublime season that deserves its own recognition.

In a campaign during which City were without the injured Kevin De Bruyne for long periods while David Silva only occasionally reached peak form, it was Bernardo who provided their creative impetus time and again.

“He is the biggest star already. He has everything, he’s a lovely person,” Guardiola said. “Maybe this season he’s been one or two of the best players in the Premier League.”

‘LUCKY TO HAVE HIM’

Bernardo has thrived with the extra responsibility placed on him by Guardiola.

“These are the moments every player wants to live. I think all of us work very hard to try and play as much as possible,” he said.

“We know it’s not easy because the squad has fantastic players, but we just push each other and try to get better.

“The atmosphere in the dressing room is just fantastic.” Bernardo’s value to City is increased by his versatility as Guardiola has used him in roles as varied as wing-back and ‘false nine’, as well as in his more favoured midfield berth. “I think as a No 10 behind the striker is his natural game but as a winger he can move inside, stay wide, he can play in all positions,” Guardiola said.

“He knows when he doesn’t play good. But he’s nearly always an eight or a nine rating. “You cannot play every single game every three days at the top level but he runs and runs.

“He enjoys every training session and game. I love him, it’s simple like that.” AFP