DBasia.news – Bernardo Silva has the nickname Bubble Gum in Manchester City. What is the correlation between bubble gum and Silva? Let his teammate explains.
“Bernardo Silva? I called him bubble gum because the ball is glued to his foot. I could pay him to watch him play,” the France left-back, Benjamin Mendy, said in 2017. Of course, it’s not like the ball attached to his foot, but it seems like that due to Silva’s great ball control.
The bubble gum player played ahead of the 2018-2019 Premier League. He was the midfielder in 4-4-3 with Phil Foden and Fernandinho in the central field. Silva contributed the 2-0 victory Man City of Chelsea in the Community Shield. The former AS Monaco player gave assist to Sergio Aguero’s goals.
Together with Aguero and Foden, Silva was one of the best players in that match. Silva played as the midfielder due to his position in the right attack of Man City was filled by the new player, Riyad Mahrez. Who knows, the rare position by Pep Guardiola gave a new touch in the Man City game.
Silva was very dynamic moving to each field, attacking and moving in Chelsea’s defense line. He touched the ball 58 times with 41 passings (36 on target), 5 dribbles (4 passes), and two key passing.
“The performance of Bernardo Silva was a masterpiece. Everybody knows the wingers want to compete. Right now, it is Bernardo and 10 players more. Right now,” Guardiola praised Silva’s performance.
“But in 11 months it depends on what they show me on the pitch. Bernardo is far away from other guys, so that’s why, at the moment, he plays.”
David Silva’s Successor
From the similar surname, Silva seems to be destined to replace the other Spanish Silva, David Silva. David is now 32 years old and about to retire. Silva deserves to replace David if Guardiola is consistent to put him as the attacking midfielder.
“I remember seeing him at the Etihad for Monaco against City, this guy is a fantastic footballer. I see him as the eventual successor to (David) Silva at Man City,” said England football legend Rio Ferdinand who is currently becoming the football expert.
Manchester City’s David Silva celebrates victory after final whistle
Similar to Silva, David often operating or building the attack from the wing side before penetrating to the central field and approaching the penalty box. Both are left-feet. By now, Guardiola might realize the new picture of Man City’s new playing strategy this season.
Silva might be the additional option for Guardiola if David or Kevin de Bruyne can’t pass the defense. Guardiola said recently that he needed one more new midfielder ahead of the end of the transfer market. The midfielder will play as the option of Fernandinho, the 33-year-old defensive midfielder.