Roberto Martinez has waxed lyrical over Bernardo Silva on the latest episode of the Sky Sports Stick to Football podcast.
Bernardo Silva is a highly decorated player at Manchester City and has experienced plenty of highs during his nine-year spell in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola has not just been impressed by Silva’s qualities as a player, but his ability to lead. This led to the Portuguese star becoming the new club captain last summer, following Kevin De Bruyne’s departure to Napoli.
Despite this, Silva’s Man City contract is set to expire this summer, but he is definitely still good enough to be staying at the club for at least a couple more years.
Roberto Martinez heaps praise on Bernardo Silva
Silva has been impressive at club level and his performances for his national team have been no different.
Roberto Martinez is a big fan of the attacking midfielder and he has listed the various qualities he possesses, declaring him to be both tactical and creative.
Appearing on Stick to Football, Martinez said of Silva: “He’s the example when we speak about what a Portuguese footballer should be; a tactical guy, wants information, wants to know where space is, he can play inside, knows how to play inside, knows how to play outside.
“He’s not a quick player, but he’s so intelligent, how to drag you out. Then technically he’s a gift. He’s left-footed, but can use both. But then he’s a competitor.
“This is what I found incredible in Portuguese culture, this mixture in the same player. Normally we used to have players that were very tactical, always ones that want to be creative. And then you had the competitor. But to have both, this is Bernardo Silva.”
The Portugal manager continued: “If you want a reliable job, it’s Bernardo Silva. If you want to mark the biggest guy in the box, it’s Bernardo Silva. If you want to appreciate where space is going to appear, it’s Bernardo Silva.
“If you want to attack inside, you use Bernardo. If you want to attack outside, you use Bernardo. It’s this intelligent guy that’s got incredible standards. When you speak with teammates, they all appreciate that.”
It would make sense for Man City to keep hold of Silva
With Guardiola only naming Silva as his captain last summer, it would seem strange for the 31-year-old to depart Man City before the start of next season.
No one really knows at this point whether he will leave, but if he does, this will certainly destabilise the club who have relied on him for so many years.
City have already experienced just how big the impact can be of losing key players in recent years and keeping this from happening again with Silva should be a priority.
