Pep Guardiola is renowned for his willingness to break the mould and twist supposed logic. As a coach that has often favoured a ‘false nine’ approach, the Catalan coach often quite literally finds himself thinking outside the box.
It was he that introduced tiki-taka to the world and perfected the art of passing opponents into submission, grinding them down through relentless work ethic and pressing from the front. In many ways, he is responsible for the most dramatic of tactical developments in the 21st century.
Guardiola is not the kind to sit back and bask in personal glory, though, or to let the plaudits which continue to rain down on him wash away individual ambition. For him, once one target has been hit, another needs to be lined up.
Prizes
Pep Guardiola wins his fourth Premier League in five years ???? pic.twitter.com/8DIh98iiw4
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 22, 2022
In the present, as has been the case for the best part of seven years, one of the finest managerial minds in the business is endeavouring to keep Manchester City on the trophy trail. Big money has been invested in assembling a star-studded squad, with the Citizens becoming perennial contenders for the most prestigious of domestic and continental prizes.
They can appear to be an immovable object at times, with it difficult for those scouring specialist markets – which require value to be found in categories such as match results, card counts and first goalscorers – to argue a case against them emerging victorious each and every time they take to the field, regardless of the competition or opposition lined up in front of them.
Silver linings are expected at the Etihad Stadium and the best betting tipsters casting an eye over Premier League and Champions League odds will often look little further than the blue half of Manchester when piecing together reviews and recommendations.
Guardiola’s penchant for experimenting can make life tricky, with there never any guarantee that he will name a settled side or a system that appears to suit the 11 names written down on a team sheet. That, though, is where his genius lies and the ability of those at his disposal is best showcased.
At times this season, Bernardo Silva – a man most at home in a midfield playmaking post – has been asked to fill a hybrid role that requires him to slot in at left-back. He has, as expected, made the transition from offensive to defensive duties look remarkably easy.
Vital
Bernardo Silva was everywhere ???? pic.twitter.com/ybyqXyaZAr
— GOAL (@goal) April 27, 2022
Silva is not asked to be the brightest star in City’s galaxy, but his light is rarely dimmed either. His manager has said: “Bernardo has never been a top scorer or assists but he helps us to play better. Bernardo is unique to make all of us play better, be aggressive and play the rhythm that we need to play.”
He really is as unique as Guardiola makes out, with there seemingly nothing that he cannot do. Only Kevin De Bruyne has provided more assists in 2022-23, while the classy Portuguese averages more pass per game than his Belgian colleague and boasts a better success rate.
Others help to get City firing on all cylinders, but Silva is a vital cog in the machine. He may not always be deployed in the position expected of him, but it is that shock factor – while maintaining remarkable standards – that ultimately gives City the X factor.
