One day we’ll look back on the 2016-17 AS Monaco side in disbelief — how did one club house Kylian Mbappe, Thomas Lemar, Bernardo Silva, Fabinho and Tiemoue Bakayoko (all 23 or younger) at the same time? Their Ligue 1 triumph and Champions League semifinal run will live long in the memory, but the dismantling of the most exciting side in European football has begun, starting with 22-year-old Portuguese attacker Bernardo Silva.
Having witnessed Silva’s devastating ability firsthand, Manchester City and Pep Guardiola have paid Monaco £43 million for his services. Silva was enticed by the opportunity of working under the world’s best trainer, but the playmaker is blessed with many qualities that are unteachable.
Bernardo Silva skill. #Portugal #SUIPOR pic.twitter.com/GAqQ0y3Ylf
— Eric Krakauer (@bigsoccerheadNY) September 6, 2016
Over the two legs of Monaco’s 6-6 away goals victory over City, Silva completed a total of 10 dribbles, completed 62 of 69 passes and registered the assist on Mbappe’s opening goal in the second leg.
It’s more than likely that City defenders did exactly what Manchester United players did after coming up against Sporting Lisbon’s Cristiano Ronaldo — walked straight into Guardiola’s office and demanded that they sign the 5’8’’ phenomenon.
Bernardo Silva, Manchester City's new signing. Can't wait to see how much he improves under Pep. pic.twitter.com/NqZFGUdxUp
— Rk (@RahatRMCF) May 26, 2017
For further proof of Silva’s ability to trouble Premier League sides, and one that actually defends at that, just look at the way he treated Tottenham while dumping the English side out at the group stage.
In those two matches he completed three dribbles, four key passes and scored the opening goal at Wembley to show the world that Monaco were not to be f***ed with.
Bernardo Silva apenas precisou de 15 minutos para voltar a fazer o gosto ao pé. Frente ao Tottenham. pic.twitter.com/loMILKPSGM
— Blogger Glorioso (@BloggerGlorioso) September 14, 2016
Most importantly for big believers in the Premier League’s rough and tumble Englishness is the fact that he actually likes to tackle and runs nonstop.
Silva’s transfer is good news for City, good news for fans of the EPL who want to see skillful players and terrible news for Raheem Sterling.
Skill Bernardo Silva berhasil mengelabuhi pemain muda Inggris nih di Euro U-21 https://t.co/4Jt8r2wdUb
— Citizens Subang (@MCSCI_Subang) June 18, 2015
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