In terms of attacking talent, few teams in world football can compare with Manchester City.
Leroy Sané, Raheem Sterling, Sergio Agüero, and Gabriel Jesus can feature anywhere across the front line, while the mercurial pair of Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva drift in behind the front line, finding space and causing havoc.
In Bernardo Silva, however, they have a player who is capable of filling either role in the attacking phase with no drop-off in terms of quality.
When the Portuguese international joined Manchester City before the start of the 2017/18 season, the speed of the deal (Silva joined just days after the end of the season on the 27th of May 2017) and the price (a reported £43M) surprised many.
With the benefit of hindsight, we now see the club moving quickly to secure a player who would become an important part of not only the squad but also the first team.
Silva played more first-team minutes in the 2017/18 season than any other outfield player for The Citizens.
So far this season, we have mainly seen Bernardo Silva play as one of the two ‘8’s in coach Pep Guardiolas system.
In the first game of the season, the Portuguese played wide on the right side of the front three and even took up a position alongside Sergio Agüero in a 4-4-2 formation during the defensive phase.
Modern football is often likened to a chess match, and the Spanish coach views the entire board around five moves ahead of everyone else; thus, the importance of a player like Bernardo Silva.
In just three competitive matches into the season, Silva has already established himself as one of the first names on the Citys XI.
Bernardo Silva Positioning
One of the most interesting aspects of Pep Guardiolas tactics and Manchester Citys style of play this season has been how they have used Bernardo Silva as a mobile chess piece.
Even though it is just a small sample size, the Portuguese international has already played three different roles for The Sky Blues.
Bernardo Silva As The Left Central Midfielder
In the Community Shield match against Chelsea, the unofficial start to the English season, Guardiola opted to rest David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, the two ‘8s’ from last seasons record-breaking season, with Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva taking their places.
The Portuguese played on the left of the central midfield, filling David Silvas role.
It says something about Bernardo Silvas quality that there was little if any, drop-off in quality between the two.
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