Manchester City’s unsung hero - Has Bernardo Silva become Guardiola’s most reliable player?

When you have superstars such as Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Phil Foden, it’s easy to escape the limelight in one of the most successful football teams of all time. When the Norwegian monster Haaland struck five goals in one game against Luton, people were waxing lyrical how he is back to his potent frightening best and could be the difference for Manchester City in the title race. When De Buryne returned from injury and provided a goal and an assist off the bench in a cameo against Newcastle back in January, it was the Belgian who was labelled the key to the Sky Blues success. Foden’s move to a more central role has been the catalyst for so much talk about the importance of the young Englishmen this season. There's one man who doesn't quite get the credit he deserves.

It is widely viewed that holding midfielder Rodri is Man City’s most important player overall, supported by the fact the team hasn’t lost in over a year with the Spaniard in the side. However, it seems to take a deflected brace against Newcastle in the FA Cup quarter-final for people to finally talk about how good City’s Portuguese playmaker Bernardo Silva actually is. Nevertheless, under the radar, has Silva become Pep Guardiola’s most reliable, and most consistent attacking player? We take a look at the numbers to support why Silva has transformed into Man City’s unsung hero.

How Bernardo Silva’s consistency is key to Man City’s success

Guardiola is arguably the most successful manager of all time. Trophies have followed the Spaniard wherever he’s gone. Which makes it speak volumes, when you consider that during his entire managerial career, no player has played more games under Guardiola than Silva. As can be seen in the table below, the Portuguese midfielder has played 342 times under Guardiola - 13 games more than the next player on that list - De Bruyne. It’s fair to say Guardiola knows a thing or two about a top player, and his trust to play Silva in so many big games really highlights the quality he possesses.

When it comes to direct goals and assists Silva can't compete with the likes of Haaland, De Bruyne and Foden. As can be viewed below, he even comes in significantly lower than Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus. However, that should perhaps be no surprise given the position he usually plays. When you take into consideration Silva is usually the second most defensive player of Man City’s regular front six after Rodri, his total goals and assists numbers of 128 is actually remarkably good. Of course he has also played many games off the wing too, but his key characteristic is often keeping the ball moving and opening up space for others. There’s so much more to Silva’s games than just goals and assists.

No Man City player has a higher percentage of completed take-ons in the Premier League this season than Silva (66%). The ball appears to stick to his foot as he weaves in and out of opponents before keeping the ball ticking along for the Sky Blues. His 20 key passes in the Premier League this season can also only be bettered by Foden (22) and Julian Álvarez (21) among his teammates. According to Whoscored, his 1.6 tackles per 90 minutes can also only be beaten by Rodri and Jośko Gvardiol. Indicating his silky ability on the ball isn’t all he brings to Guardiola’s team. And when Silva plays Man City usually win.

Since the beginning of the 2018/19 season, the only player with more Premier League wins to his name than Silva (140) is keeper Ederson (153), who has played 19 more games. That means in the last five and half seasons, Silva has won 74% of the games he has played. An incredible record in what many consider to be the strongest league in world football. With a player of the elegance of Silva, sometimes you even have to look past raw statistics and appreciate the brilliance of a player with the eye test. Speaking after the victory against Newcastle in the FA Cup quarter-final, manager Guardiola was effusive in his praise of Silva: "Bernardo kept the ball so well, everybody loves him.”

The 29-year-old playmaker has been linked with a move away from the Etihad this summer, and even recently admitted it's a "career and life goal to return to Benfica", but Guardiola knows just how vital Silva is, and added, “It’s really important for him to stay with us”. Players like Silva cannot be easily replaced. Silva still currently commands a €80m market value despite being 30 years old in August. Next up for Man City after the international break - a title crunch clash against Arsenal at the Etihad. Expect Silva to be starting again.