Bernardo Silva sends defiant message to Manchester City fans as club captain | OneFootball

Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva has sent a defiant message to supporters in advance of the new campaign, off the back of a difficult 12 months at the club.

Now officially entrusted with the armband following the summer departures of Kyle Walker to Burnley and Kevin De Bruyne to Napoli as a free agent, Silva has quickly looked to establish his tone as a leader – one of accountability and ambition.

The Portugal international has long been regarded as one of Manchester City’s most consistent performers, particularly in a last campaign that fell short of expectations, with the club failing to lift major silverware for only the second time under Pep Guardiola.

Silva’s words come at a time when City’s squad is in the early stages of regrouping. With several players returning from extended breaks and new signings such as Rayan Cherki integrated, the mood around the City Football Academy is focused on recovery and revival.

Pep Guardiola’s men will be aiming to re-establish their grip on domestic honours and rekindle their presence in Europe, especially after a season that saw rivals Liverpool take the acclaims in the Premier League and Paris Saint-Germain on the continent.

Speaking to Manchester City’s official club website this week in advance of the new season, Bernardo Silva has insisted to fans that the squad shares the same feeling about the last campaign, and holds firm determination to challenge for the biggest honours this time around.

“Last season wasn’t what we wanted – that’s the same feeling for players as well as fans. But this coming season is a chance to turn the page and start again,” the Manchester City captain insisted.

The Portugal international continued, “We are really focused on improving and challenging for silverware again, something that is in the DNA of this club and this team. We kick off the new season with the open training session event with our fans and we’re all looking forward to it.”

He added, “Our supporters are so important to everything we do. Every game, the emotions we feel on the pitch, they feel too.

“We have had a great time together over many seasons now and we have shared these amazing moments together. We want more of them as we get ready for the new season.”

What happens next for Bernardo Silva and Manchester City could be shaped in part by how the club navigates the final month of the transfer window.

With midfield competition increasing following the arrivals of Tijjani Reijnders and Nico Gonzalez this year, and with Mateo Kovacic still recovering from injury, Silva’s versatility and leadership may be more essential than ever.

The club’s first-team squad are set to appear at an open training session this week at the Joie Stadium, reconnecting players and fans before competitive action returns later this month with an away trip to Wolves on Saturday 16 August.

As Bernardo Silva referenced, it could serve as a symbolic fresh start after the frustrations of last season, and an opportunity for supporters to see the energy and unity the new captain insists is already building from a public perspective.