Portuguese midfielder to leave the Etihad this summer
Bernardo Silva is set to leave Manchester City at the end of the season on the expiry of his contract. With Juventus and Barcelona set to pursue the Portuguese midfielder, Manchester City must come to terms with the fact that the long-serving Bernardo Silva needs to be replaced.
Bernardo Silva is such a unicorn of a profile that replacing him is likely to be exceedingly difficult. He has played in virtually every position in the midfield, and on the wings, and City will have to invest heavily to find a reasonable replacement. Here’s a list of 3 potential players that could fill the void left by Bernardo Silva when he departs at the end of the season.
Four players who Manchester City could replace Bernardo Silva with
Elliot Anderson
Elliot Anderson currently looks like the favourite for Manchester City as the marquee midfield signing of the next summer transfer window. Currently playing for Nottingham Forest, he has impressed this season, playing as a deep #8 for Forest and being arguably the standout player of the season outside the big 6.
Anderson is young, with Premier League experience, and international experience, expected to start in midfield alongside Declan Rice for England at the World Cup this summer. His ability to dictate tempo and his passing ability makes him a close like-for-like replacement for Bernardo Silva.
City will face competition for his signature, especially from cross-city rivals Manchester United, who will also be chasing a midfielder this summer to replace Casemiro. Some of the best betting sites in UK offer bets on Anderson’s next club, and you can check these sites out through GOAL.
Sandro Tonali
Bernardo Silva’s defensive tenacity and aggressiveness is hard to replicate alongside his contribution to Man City’s build-up. One potential replacement for his defensive contribution is Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali. The Italian midfielder is linked with big moves across Europe as Newcastle struggle to cut costs.
Tonali is known for his defensive tenacity, along with his high-intensity workrate, and his ability to progress the ball. Tonali really offers everything a Premier League club needs in a midfielder. Again, Manchester United are reported to be interested, and he’s been linked with multiple other clubs, including a move back to Italy. Manchester City have also been linked at times with Tonali’s Newcastle teammate Bruno Guimarães, but he would be a general midfield signing, and less so a direct replacement for Bernardo Silva.
Adam Wharton
Another Premier League-proven midfielder just waiting for his move to a Champions League club. The English midfielder is a fan-favourite at Crystal Palace, and is widely thought as one of the best young midfielders in the Premier League.
Wharton thrives in a midfielder double pivot. He is an excellent holding midfielder, capable of retaining the ball and recycling play efficiently. For a dominant team like Man City, he would be a crucial piece of the squad. Pep has already spoken of his admiration for Wharton as a footballer, and he’s likely to be available this summer for a slightly lower price than the likes of Elliot Anderson, while also being English and homegrown.
Jamal Musiala
A wholly different profile to the other options on this list, but still one that shares similarities with Bernardo Silva, more for his attacking work in his earlier years at Manchester City. Jamal Musiala would be a huge marquee signing for City, potentially breaking City’s all-time transfer record.
Musiala is a dream target for Pep and Man City. He has a similar profile to Bernado Silva, being known for his close control and dribbling ability. He’s more suited to playing as a #10 and as a winger than in a double pivot, but would level up City’s squad, especially with Phil Foden seemingly out in the cold. A big swing, but with potentially huge rewards for one of the best young players in the world.