Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva thinks it’s too early to say whether his team can become a candidate for the biggest trophy of the season.
City overhauled the team in the final two transfer windows, signing potential future stars such as Rayan Cherki, Abdukodil Kusanov and Nico Gonzalez, bringing in established players like Zianrij Donnaruma and Tijani Reyjnah.
Silva has been with City since 2017 and has won all major trophies with the club, including the Champions League and four unprecedented straight premier league titles from 2020-21, playing alongside the best players of all time.
The 31-year-old Portuguese midfielder, who is currently the captain of the team, sees a lot of possibilities, but is not ready to say this season that the new-looking city can still be the English and European champions.
“It’s hard to say. I want to give you an answer, but the reality has changed a lot over the past six months,” Silva said Tuesday, a day before City’s Champions League match at former club Monaco. “So we need time to adapt to the idea and get back to our level. It’s a conversation… maybe in February, March to see where we are.
“What we really want is to improve every day and get back to the level we think we can do. There’s no doubt these players could be there. It’s only a matter of time. I think it’s this season.
Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruin – City’s last two captains both left the club during the offseason, with Silva taking the armband and Froning the leadership group, which also includes Reuben Diaz, Rodri and Erling Haaland.
There was constant speculation about how long Silva will be staying at City, and once his contract expires, he refused to reveal whether he’s surpassed this season.
“I know exactly what I’m trying to do,” Silva said. “But it’s not time to talk about that.”
Rodri available
Guardiola said Rodri is available Experience pain He missed that match as he bids to get back to full fitness ahead of Saturday’s 5-1 victory over Burnley after an ACL injury that ruled him out for most of last season.
“He felt much better,” Guardiola said. Guardiola believes that playing three high-intensity games in a week is still beyond the winner at the current state last year.
“He needs time. This type of injury – at least a year. So we have to be patient. He instructs. When he’s not feeling well, it’s better to rest.”
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