Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva issues warning to teammates as he delivers one of the clearest statements yet about the level of performance required to remain part of Pep Guardiola’s squad, stressing that no player is safe if standards slip.
City’s current campaign has seen moments of impressive football mixed with spells of inconsistency, prompting growing concern within the club’s leadership group about mentality, focus and the need to maintain elite standards across every competition.
As the team attempts to rebuild rhythm in their Premier League title challenge, senior figures have been increasingly vocal about the expectations that come with representing a side competing at the highest level.
Bernardo, who was handed the captaincy for the 2025/26 season after Guardiola personally requested he take on the role, has emerged as a central voice in reinforcing the mindset the club believes is essential to winning major trophies.
The midfielder has long been viewed as one of the squad’s most influential leaders, and with form fluctuating earlier in the season, he has intensified his message: performance is not optional, and neither is consistency.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Bernardo Silva issues warning to teammates, explaining the pressure every City player faces to meet the standards demanded internally, describing the consequences of falling short in blunt terms.
His remarks come during a period of improved form for City, but the message from the dugout and dressing room remains the same—performances must rise and stay high if the club wants to regain control of the title race.
“Being criticised, it’s part of our job. We’re at one of the best clubs in the world and standards are high, we need to win titles if we want to stay at this club,” said Bernardo Silva.
“Otherwise, if I don’t win titles, don’t perform, the club will sack me, I’m going and another one comes. It’s life! It’s brutal, but it’s the game and we have to do better as a team – not just this game, all games, we have to do better, be more consistent, perform better and we’ll work a lot,” he continued.
Bernardo made clear that the expectations placed on Manchester City players are not merely external pressures from fans or media but are an essential part of playing for a club that has dominated English football for much of the past decade.
With City setting historic standards under Guardiola, the midfielder believes there can be no relaxation—not even for a squad as decorated and gifted as the current one.
“This group of players is a very talented group. Manchester City gave me more than I wished for. Looking forward, if you play at Manchester City, you need to fight for titles, you need to win,” he said.
“If you don’t, you’re going to get sacked, another one is coming. It’s reality. At this level, you need to win. You’re here to win!”
City’s title challenge has been complicated by a crowded fixture list, injuries across key moments of the season and the strong form of rivals in the Premier League.
Yet Bernardo believes the squad has shown glimpses of the high level required, and the challenge now is to ensure such performances appear far more regularly.
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He stressed that the team’s inconsistency has been the main obstacle in the title race, even as recent performances hint at a renewed sense of direction.
For City, he suggested, the key is not simply playing well occasionally but delivering at the highest standard every time they step on the pitch.
Discussing City’s push to catch Arsenal in the Premier League standings, Bernardo Silva acknowledged that while the team has made progress, more is required if they want to keep pace with Mikel Arteta’s side.
“We know we can get to a very good level, we proved it this season in some games. But we need to do it every three days, that’s the toughest,” Bernardo said.
“I think we’re in a much better position now than a few months ago. I feel we’re improving a lot, let’s see if that’s enough to fight with Arsenal. Right now it isn’t because ahead. In football, things change very quickly.”