Guardiola: Bernardo Silva Is Undroppable

By Max Wise

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has hailed Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva for his impressive performances this season.

Bernardo Silva has stepped up to the plate as a suitable cover for City’s player of the year last season, Kevin de Bruyne, whose campaign has been disrupted by two serious knee injuries.

Guardiola has shifted Silva from his usual right-wing position to central midfield, and the former Monaco man has responded with eight goals and seven assists from 32 appearances across all competitions this season.

Manchester City is spoilt for choice in attacking areas with Guardiola having to choose among Leroy Sane, Kevin de Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, David Silva, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva, but it is the Portuguese whose place is most assured in the team.

"For me, to drop Bernardo Silva right now is almost impossible," Guardiola said at press conference on Tuesday.

"Right now it is Bernardo and 10 more players."

"I don't know what this guy has done this season. Playing in the middle and outside, every single game he played perfectly."

"Taking decisions, how he fights, reading the movements offensively and defensively, the way he lives the game."

"Every time we miss a chance he makes that reaction [puts head dramatically in hands]. He lives that, he is involved absolutely.

"They have to compete with Bernardo in that position."

Manchester City travel to Goodison Park to take on Everton in a rearranged Premier League game on Wednesday knowing that victory will take them above leaders Liverpool on goal difference.