Joao Cancelo and Phil Foden haven’t played much football for Manchester City of late and seemingly came in for criticism from Pep Guardiola for their attitude in training, but Bernardo Silva isn’t having a good time either.
The 28-year-old has made 29 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals with five assists, but he hasn’t bagged in the Premier League since August and has no assist since October. Silva was even dropped in City’s last two outings.
Guardiola has preferred Ilkay Gundogan in midfield of late and the timing is suspicious as it coincides with controversial comments made by the Portuguese playmaker. Silva said weeks ago that he could leave City for a new project, so might his uncertain future be affecting performances?
Sam Lee of The Athletic said in December that it’s possible Silva leaves this summer, and it can’t be ignored that he’s publicly wanted out in the last two summer transfer windows, but City need him at his best.
Silva scored 13 goals with seven assists from 50 games after trying to leave the previous summer, but he’s not managed to replicate such form and goal output this campaign.
He’s created more than one chance in a game just once since October and hasn’t managed more than one dribble since November. Silva has also managed just one accurate cross in his last five outings.
The 28-year-old is only 6th in the City squad for goals, 6th in the squad for chances and 7th in the squad for accurate crosses, so Guardiola dropping him to the bench seems vindicated.
In other news, Joao Cancelo is out of favour for Man City
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