Pep Guardiola: ‘A part of me is departing as well’ with Bernardo Silva’s exit from Man City at season’s conclusion.
Pep Guardiola has expressed that “part of myself is leaving” with Bernardo Silva, as the Manchester City manager called on his team to provide the departing Portugal playmaker with an ideal farewell.
The City captain put an end to speculation regarding his future on Thursday by announcing he will leave the club at the conclusion of the season when his contract expires, following a successful nine-year tenure in the north-west.
Guardiola is hopeful that Silva can secure a few more trophies to add to the 19 honors he has already achieved before his departure, with City aiming to clinch the Premier League and FA Cup to complete a domestic treble.
Speaking prior to the crucial match against league leaders Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, Guardiola emphasized that Silva continues to have a vital role for the remainder of the season.
When asked if Silva’s departure was the most challenging farewell for him, Guardiola responded: “Absolutely. When players of this caliber leave, and there have been many in recent years, part of myself is leaving too.”
“It will be hard to envision [the club] without him. He has made an incredible impact over nine years and has been immensely, immensely, immensely significant.”
“Hopefully we can deliver for him; he will assist us, I am certain of that. He is a unique player, and I hope we can provide a strong month and a few days because he deserves it, he deserves the best.”
“We have won 19 titles together, we are still in contention for two more, and we are going for it, that is for sure. We are eager to start and give our best.”
Silva, who has netted 76 goals and provided 77 assists in 451 appearances for City, joins Kyle Walker, Ilkay GΓΌndogan, Γderson, and Kevin de Bruyne as long-serving players departing the club in the past year.
Players such as Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders were acquired last summer, with Antoine Semenyo and Marc GuΓ©hi joining in January, while Nico O’Reilly and Abdukodir Khusanov are now regulars in the first team.
Guardiola dismissed the notion that they can approach the title run-in with greater confidence than Arsenal, whose lead could be reduced to three points if they lose, with City holding a game in hand.
“Ederson, Kevin, Gundo, Kyle, and Manuel [Akanji, who is on a season-long loan at Inter Milan] and many players who have achieved a lot here are no longer present,” Guardiola stated.
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“Most of them are newcomers, and we will see. Cherki, for instance, has never won the Premier League, so we do not know how he will perform in that situation.”
“Khusanov has not been here before, Nico is in his first season where he is truly involved, Antoine joined a month ago, and Marc Guehi arrived a few weeks ago.”
“There are numerous players who will be participating who might win their first Premier League title. I cannot predict how they will react. There are many factors beyond your control.”
Guardiola, however, hopes his players will rise to the occasion as they aim to enhance their chances of securing a fifth league title in six seasons.
“We require that pressure,” Guardiola remarked. “To compete effectively against that team, they must understand that if we do not win, it is over. They are aware of this; we discuss it.”
