‘Bernardo Silva in line for Man City exit after no-impact season’
Man City may look to offload Bernardo Silva in the summer after his lack of contribution this season, says Martin O’Neill.
Silva was expected to leave Man City last summer, with PSG and Barcelona pushing to recruit the Portuguese international, but eventually the former Monaco midfielder decided to remain at the club, with no deal being agreed.
However, with City now on their worst run of form during Pep Guardiola‘s time at the club, Silva has once again been tipped for an exit from the Etihad.
Man City to make ‘change in personnel’ in the summer
With the opportunity to leapfrog their opponents, and move up to third in the Premier League table, City took on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday (8 March).
In a close game, Forest won 1-0 thanks to a brilliant performance from Murillo, and a goal from Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The result allowed Chelsea to move above the reigning Premier League champions, and former City and Forest player O’Neill was critical of Silva’s lack of impact against the Tricky Trees, saying, via The Guardian: “[Look at] Bernardo Silva: just no impact in the game, not just this game, but for most of the season.
“He’s been a great player [but] maybe there will be a change in personnel at the end of the season.”
Silva is out of contract at the Etihad in 2026, having signed an extension in 2023.
Man City are already planning to add five “big-name signings” to their squad in the summer, Mick Brown told Football Insider exclusively, due to concerns over the futures of a number of players, including the Portuguese star.
| 2024/25 Premier League stats | Silva |
| Appearances | 25 |
| Starts | 22 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 4 |
| Minutes | 2,020 |
Man City set for summer overhaul after dismal season
Football Insider Verdict
Usually in football, when a team performs below expectations, it is the manager that comes under risk of losing their job.
It speaks volumes to just how good Guardiola is at his job, that City are now looking to completely overhaul the playing staff, rather than attempt to replace the Spaniard.
Kevin De Bruyne, Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, John Stones, and Rodri’s futures are all up in the air right now, Ederson looks set for a move to Saudi Arabia and Jack Grealish is perpetually linked with an exit from the Etihad.
In their stead, the club are looking at rejuvenating the squad with young talent from abroad, as Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, and Diogo Costa from FC Porto.
City have generally looked to tinker with their squad over the last few years, rather than make wholesale changes, but missing out on Champions League football will cause them to change their approach.