Bernardo needs to have a summer reboot with Blues

BERNARDO Silva is used to being rotated in City’s attack. In fact, he even relishes the competition.

The likeable Portuguese has spoken about the need to keep performances high in training and in matches under Pep Guardiola, knowing there is another world-class player ready to take your spot.

But this season, Bernardo has arguably fallen foul of his own warning, as he has struggled to hold down a place - or even a position.

He has been used on both wings, in central midfield, in attacking midfield and even as a false nine. It’s this flexibility which makes him so important to City, but it also works against him in getting the consistency that he has seen from his main competitors.

Whether it’s Raheem Sterling or Riyad Mahrez on the wings, or Kevin de Bruyne in the centre, Bernardo hasn’t matched his Player of the Year levels from 2018/19.

His record of eight goals and 10 assists this season is respectable, but down on his 13 goals and 14 assists the previous season. Since the restart, Bernardo started just four times, with Phil Foden seemingly ahead of him in Guardiola’s plans.

For a player who has 52 appearances this season (only Gabriel Jesus made more), it seems a stretch to say his place is under threat. But six players played more minutes for City, showing Bernardo’s place as one of the first to be substituted when Guardiola wants to change things.

Bernardo averaged 63 minutes per appearance this season, down 15 minutes from 78 last season. Last season, he made one less appearance, but played 750 more minutes - the equivalent of over eight full games.

In 54 per cent of his games in 2019/20, he was substituted or began the game on the bench. He only started more than two consecutive league games on four occasions in 2019/20. It’s not a huge problem, but he is an ambitious player who appears to have dropped in importance over the past 12 months.

So what does he need to do? For a start, following his own advice would put him in good stead, by working hard every minute in training. The departure of David Silva could free up a place in the centre to make his own, ending his nomadic campaign to some extent.

Secondly, a look to one of the main causes of his reduced playing time will show the way to get back into Guardiola’s thinking.

Last summer, Riyad Mahrez was preparing for a new campaign after an inconsistent first year, but he worked hard, adapted to Guardiola’s demands, and became first choice on the right wing.

Bernardo must do the same, perfect the position he feels will reward him with the most game time, and he may see an increase in playing time next season.