Pundit Craig Burley has claimed that Bernardo Silva has been in better form than Erling Haaland in recent weeks for Manchester City.
The 28-year-old played a big part in getting the Citizens to next weekend’s Champions League final against Inter Milan as he scored two goals in the 4-0 win over Real Madrid in last month’s semi-final second-leg clash at the Etihad Stadium.
Having also picked up his fifth Premier League title with the Manchester club last month, the midfielder has found himself on the end of some significant praise from one pundit, in particular.
Burley heaps praise on Silva
Speaking in a recent video from the ESPN FC YouTube channel, Burley had this to say about Silva, who City paid £43m for back in 2017, and his recent form.
He said: “Show me a neutral that doesn’t love themselves a Bernardo Silva. I just love watching Bernardo Silva play.
“It’s interesting every summer it seems to be Bernardo Silva is not happy, he’s going to Barcelona, he wants out but yet, every time I see him he’s on the field and [Pep] Guardiola’s got the arm around him and he’s playing brilliantly. Now he hasn’t always played brilliantly but he is at the moment, he’s a little gem at the moment.
“His goals in the Real Madrid game, the first goal was great but the headed goal was sublime but it’s the positions he takes up, it’s how he takes carer of the ball, how he takes it in tight areas and twists away from people. And he’s got a physical element to him as well, he’s not the biggest chap in the room but he handles himself he’s got an aggressive element to him.
“It would be a hard argument, maybe Erling Haaland with his goals, but it would be a hard argument at the moment to say there’s anybody playing better or more consistently than the little Portuguese magician Bernardo Silva, he’s been brilliant.”
Having featured in all but six of City’s games across all competitions this season, scoring seven goals, providing eight assists and playing in numerous midfield and attacking positions, this highlights how vital the Portuguese international has been for the team.
In fact, across his 34 league appearances, only Rodri (100) ended the campaign with a higher combined total of tackles and interceptions than Silva (60), which showcases how hard he works off the ball.
Moving forward, if the versatile midfielder can help his side overcome Manchester United in tomorrow’s FA Cup final and then help the club win their first Champions League title next weekend by beating Inter Milan, Silva can once again prove why he is such an important figure at City.
