LONDON • With an FA Cup semi-final tie against Brighton just three days later, Pep Guardiola must decide how best to shuffle his star-studded Manchester City line-up as they host struggling Cardiff in the Premier League today.
But, despite the embarrassment of riches City possess, one player has remained an almost automatic selection.
Bernardo Silva has appeared in 30 of their 31 league games - starting in 26 - with only goalkeeper Ederson turning out more times for the first XI.
While City forward Raheem Sterling and Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk appear to be the front runners to scoop the Player of the Year honours this season, the Portugal midfielder has also made a compelling case to be considered.
Guardiola believes that the form of Silva, who has been a model of consistency all season, "is a consequence of the way he accepts his role".
The Spaniard added: "He works so hard and the rewards are there. Right now, with the way he plays, I cannot do anything else but put him on the pitch and let him play.
"He's so important for us. What he's done for us is the best."
ROLE MODEL
He works so hard and the rewards are there. Right now, with the way he plays, I cannot do anything else but put him on the pitch and let him play.
PEP GUARDIOLA, Manchester City manager, on the impressive contributions Bernardo Silva has made to the team.
ALL FOR ONE
It's most important for the team to keep winning. If it's me scoring or Kun (Sergio Aguero) or Raz (Sterling) or Leroy (Sane) or Riyad (Mahrez), it doesn't really matter.
BERNARDO SILVA, City midfielder, on playing as a team.
Despite having already equalled his personal best of six league goals with seven matches to play, the 24-year-old Silva is not gunning for individual records as "what matters is three points".
Ahead of the game against the Bluebirds, he said: "It's most important for the team to keep winning. If it's me scoring or Kun (Sergio Aguero) or Raz (Sterling) or Leroy (Sane) or Riyad (Mahrez), it doesn't really matter."
However, his manager will certainly need him to be at his creative best after Aguero, the league's top scorer on 19 goals, was ruled out of the meeting with Neil Warnock's men.
Admitting that he "will (have to) see the evolution of the next few days" to determine if the Argentina striker will be fit to travel to Wembley to take on the Seagulls, Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference yesterday: "He didn't train last two days, he is not able to play.
"Aguero and Fabian Delph (are the only ones who are injured). The others are quite well."
The 48-year-old also urged his players to keep their eyes on the remaining prizes, with City still on track for an unprecedented quadruple, although "beating Cardiff is our main target".
He added: "No one said it would be easy. We know it. Everyone is excited about the next weeks, but we also know we can lose everything. It's not complicated. It's amazing to have this opportunity, to be there.
"I saw how good Arsenal are playing (against Newcastle). We have an incredible distance (from them) because we have done so well.
"Then we go to Wembley and we want to win a trophy I have never won, the oldest one."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
MAN CITY V CARDIFF
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, tomorrow, 2.35am
MANCHESTER UNITED REVEALED on Thursday that sacking Jose Mourinho and his staff cost the club nearly £20 million. The sum of £19.6 million (€22.2 million)) which is listed under "exceptional items" in the club's second-quarter results, includes pay-outs for the members of Mourinho's staff who left with him after he was sacked in December.
Man Utd latest financial results: 6 things you might have
Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City must beat Liverpool on Thursday (Friday morning, AEDT) to sustain their English Premier League title bid. City shook off consecutive defeats to coast past Southampton 3-1 at St Mary's on Sunday, with David Silva and Sergio Aguero on target and James Ward-Prowse netting an own goal.
Pep Guardiola challenges Manchester City to beat Liverpool to
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was a guest on Talksport on Monday, and the former Chelsea striker discussed his former club's success in winning the Premier League this season. Hasselbaink is now the
Chelsea's All-Time Premier League Squad Based on Shirt
Football News -The challenge is different for Liverpool. New favourites Liverpool face two stiff tests of title credentials have the burden of being branded favourites in an English
Latest JURGEN KLOPP | The Straits Times
Step up or ship out: Solskjaer. waka 3 weeks ago. 0 0 2 minutes read. Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn StumbleUpon Tumblr Pinterest Reddit VKontakte Odnoklassniki
Step up or ship out: Solskjaer - theworldnews.net
Soccer: Veteran Quagliarella helps rejuvenated Italy thrash
Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min wanted a transfer back to Germany after struggling in his debut season at the Premier League club but stayed put after a conversation with manager Mauricio Pochettino, the South Korea international has said.
Son contemplated Tottenham exit until discussion with Pochettino
An own-goal and Robbie Brady's injury-time strike saw Mick McCarthy's side to an expected three points 2 Gibraltar 0 Ireland top Euro Qualifying group but strikers struggle to find their
Own goal helps Ireland edge Gibraltar | SuperSport
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirms contract withMolde has expired (at Molde).' Solskjaer has signed a deal with United until the end of the season and that any return to Molde would be down to the
Solskjaer's deal at Molde expires giving interim boss clear
If anyone says that Singaporeans don't have a passion for football, they probably forgot to swing by Our Tampines Hub to catch the live screening of the Champions League final between Liverpool
Liverpool in the Champions League final - don't miss out on
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hinted he could look to change Paul Pogba's role after Manchester United laboured to a 2-1 win over Watford on Saturday. "It was more a draw, performance-wise. We'll
'United Almost in the Driving Seat to Finish in the top Four
Parris and White strike to give England victory over Scotland. Sports; Parris and White strike to give England victory over Scotland. June 10, 2019. 0. 5. Share on
0 comments:
Post a Comment