dailyloe.com – Pep Guardiola says he would be delighted if Bernardo Silva stayed at Manchester City. The manager does not know if the Portuguese midfielder will sign a new contract. Silva’s current deal expires at the end of the season.
Assistant coach Pep Lijnders recently hinted Silva might not sign a new agreement. The 31-year-old Silva is linked with Spanish giant Barcelona and Serie A’s Juventus. Guardiola spoke about the situation on Friday ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match against Chelsea.
“He has been an incredible signing for us, incredible. I love this club and I would love him to stay and finish his career here, but I don’t know,” Guardiola said. “The decision belongs to him. It is his decision.”
Guardiola does not know when that decision will come. He said he is very grumpy with Silva over the delay. The manager said he told Silva he should be the first to know the decision.
“I am very grumpy with Bernardo because a month ago I said: ‘if you make a decision, I have to be the first (to know)’, and he still hasn’t told me anything,” Guardiola expressed. “I don’t know if he has already decided. I told him, jokingly: ‘tell me, I deserve (to know)’, but he didn’t tell me, so I don’t know what is happening.”
Silva has been one of Manchester City’s best signings since arriving from Monaco nine years ago. His agility, vision and scoring instinct immediately won over fans. Silva recently played his 450th game for the club and has scored 76 goals.
He has played over 100 matches for Portugal. Guardiola praised Silva’s competitive nature and consistency. The manager said all coaches would want him because he is incredibly competitive.
“He always has a fire inside. In the most difficult moments and on the biggest stages, he is always there,” Guardiola emphasized. The player’s future remains uncertain as his contract nears its end.[]
Source: Los Angeles Times
