Pep Guardiola has revealed details of a private exchange with club captain Bernardo Silva, as uncertainty continues to surround the midfielder’s future at Manchester City.
Silva’s current deal is due to expire at the Etihad Stadium in June, and there has been no confirmation that the 31-year-old intends to sign a new contract.
If no agreement is reached, it would bring an end to a glittering nine-year stay in English football, a period filled with domestic and European success.
Since arriving from AS Monaco in 2017 for £43 million, the Portugal international has become one of the most consistent and intelligent performers of Guardiola’s era.
His influence has stretched far beyond technical ability, and last summer he was handed the captain’s armband following the departures of Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne.
City are competing on four fronts as the campaign enters a crucial phase, and Silva remains central to their ambitions.
Despite speculation about what lies ahead, his performances have not dipped. He has played a key role in the club’s recent resurgence in the title race against Arsenal.
Last weekend, he was instrumental in a dramatic late turnaround at Anfield, a victory that injected renewed belief into Guardiola’s side.
He followed that display with another commanding performance in the 3-0 win over Fulham, dictating the tempo and linking play with trademark intelligence and work rate.
Yet, while Silva’s contribution on the pitch remains unquestioned, questions about his contract continue to surface.
The midfielder has publicly suggested that he has already decided on his next move, although he has not disclosed what that decision is.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round meeting with Salford City, Guardiola admitted he remains in the dark about Silva’s intentions.
“No, I don’t have an idea,” the Manchester City manager said in a press conference on Friday.
“Honestly, I said to him (Silva), ‘When you take a decision, let me know’. But I don’t have any idea.”
Rather than pressure his captain, Guardiola appears to have left the decision firmly in Silva’s hands, trusting both the player’s professionalism and honesty.
Bernardo Silva, a leader beyond the armband
While the uncertainty persists, there is no doubt about Silva’s importance within the squad.
Guardiola was also asked about the midfielder’s leadership qualities and how he commands respect inside the dressing room.
For the City manager, Silva’s influence extends far beyond vocal instruction. His leadership, Guardiola suggested, is rooted in consistency and example.
“He can talk, too! It’s the best leadership, right? When you lead by example. And anyone in the locker room and dressing room cannot deny that he has that,” the Catalan added on Silva.
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That endorsement underlines Silva’s standing within the group. Though not the most physically imposing figure, he has built his authority through tireless pressing, tactical discipline and a willingness to deliver in decisive moments.
Teammates look to him not simply because he wears the armband, but because of what he produces week after week.
City’s recent revival has coincided with some of Silva’s most influential displays of the season.
His energy in midfield, combined with his awareness in tight spaces, has helped restore rhythm to Guardiola’s side at a time when the margin for error in the title race is slim.
As the fixtures pile up across league and cup competitions, his experience will be vital.
Few players in the squad understand Guardiola’s tactical demands as deeply as Silva, and even fewer combine that understanding with such relentless intensity.
