“Obviously I can leave next season” – Manchester City star discusses transfer future | OneFootball

Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva has discussed the imminent decision that must be made concerning his club future, speaking during the FIFA Club World Cup.

The Portugal international has been recently appointed as Manchester City’s new club captain following the departure of Kevin De Bruyne upon the expiry of his Etihad Stadium contract, and subsequent free transfer to Napoli.

While Manchester City often conduct an internal vote on the subject of their leadership group following the summer transfer window, manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that he pulled rank and decided to appoint his captains personally ahead of the new season.

“I am the manager, and for the first time in my career, I decided who will be my captains. I didn’t like what happened last season, and I decided this season who will represent the team,” Guardiola told reporters on Tuesday evening from the United States.

With Rodri, Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland, and Bernardo Silva making up an initial four-man leadership group, it has since been confirmed that the latter Portuguese midfielder is the lead captain within the first-team squad.

That decision comes ahead of what could be Silva’s final season as a Manchester City player, with the versatile midfielder entering into the final 12 months of his existing contractual agreement with the club.

Speaking to reporters from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia this week, Bernardo Silva spoke openly about his City future, and the decision that is due to come in the near future regarding the matter.

“I know what I’m going to do but it’s not the time to talk about that. I’m very focused on my season. I’m very focused on performing well for Man City,” the Portugal international insisted.

He continued, as per MailSport’s Jack Gaughan, “When the time is due I will talk about it. I have one year on my contract so obviously I can leave next season.

“This season for sure will be at City, I’m going to stay. I’ve had options in the past and this year, like last year, my option is to stay at Man City.”

Bernardo Silva also briefly reflected on the last campaign and the importance of not forgetting the ‘important lessons’ that Manchester City learned from a hugely problematic and difficult season as a whole.

“We talked a lot last season as a group about what happened and we learned a lot of very important lessons,” the 30-year-old said.

“Hopefully we’re never going to forget them, especially this season. We’re not going to forget what happened last season and try to make things right.”

Hugo Viana and Manchester City’s recruitment team have worked intensely to refresh the playing squad in time for the start of the FIFA Club World Cup, and Bernardo Silva alongside the captaincy group will no doubt play a significant role in integrating such names.

Rayan Cherki has been viewed as the replacement for Kevin De Bruyne in the advanced midfield ranks, while Tijjani Reijnders will bring much-needed energy into the centre of the pitch, with Rayan Ait-Nouri bolstering defence from left-back.

Manchester City will kick-off the brand new 2025/26 Premier League season with an away clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday 16 August, with kick-off scheduled for 17:30 (UK).