Imagine settling into an ornate Sicilian mansion, with ceramic horses and vintage hunting art all around you — that’s where Bernardo Silva found himself recently.
It was the night before Manchester City’s final pre-season friendly, and Silva took a moment away from the gala dinner to open up about City’s mindset heading into a new Premier League campaign.
The setting was extravagant, but Silva’s words were grounded: Manchester City want to get back on track, chase trophies, and erase the disappointment of last season.
The Scars of Last Season Still Sting
Last season was a tough one for City. At one point, they looked like outsiders to even qualify for the Champions League, a far cry from their treble-winning heights just 18 months earlier.
Silva says the squad felt drained, almost tired of each other, and that was clear in their results — just one win in 13 games at their lowest ebb.
But Silva is ready to turn the page. “It’s not about winning or losing, it’s about competing for the title.
Last year, we didn’t even give it a try,” he said.
He admits the team is emotionally back and hungry again, motivated by the guilt of not performing up to their standards.
Taking the Captain’s Armband and Leading by Example
When Kevin De Bruyne announced he would leave, Pep Guardiola handed Silva the captain’s armband — a rare break from tradition, since City’s leadership group usually gets chosen by players and staff votes.
Silva admits it felt a little strange but knows it’s a sign of trust in his influence at the club.
He credits a host of former captains and leaders — Ronaldo, Kompany, De Bruyne, and others — for shaping his own approach to leadership.
Silva’s style combines honesty, toughness, and a refusal to take shortcuts.
Balancing Respect and Accountability in the Dressing Room
Silva points to one of the biggest challenges for him and the other captains: creating the right atmosphere in the squad.
That means punctuality, respect, working hard in training, and giving everything for the club — no shortcuts or cheating.
“We definitely learned who you can go to war with and who you can’t,” Silva said, referencing the hard lessons of last season.
He’s serious about making sure this new chapter is different.
No Room for Pretending: Silva’s Honest Approach
Beyond his footballing genius, Silva has long been known for speaking his mind — famously refusing to applaud Liverpool’s title celebrations four years ago, calling rival fans ‘pathetic’ on social media after a tough European exit.
“It’s not a tradition for me, in Portugal,” he explains. “When I win a title, I don’t need anyone else to clap for me.
I wasn’t going to clap Liverpool because that’s not how I celebrate defeat.”
It’s that same fierce honesty Silva hopes to bring to this season — hopefully one where City can claim the glory again.