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Manchester City: Who’s in Contention for Player of the Season So Far?

By Dan Larsen

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Manchester City fans show their support prior to the Carabao Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on February 24, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Manchester City fans show their support prior to the Carabao Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on February 24, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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Bernardo Silva

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 12: Bernardo Silva of Manchester Citycelebrates after he scores his team’s fifth goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Manchester City v FC Schalke 04 at Etihad Stadium on March 12, 2019 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 12: Bernardo Silva of Manchester Citycelebrates after he scores his team’s fifth goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Manchester City v FC Schalke 04 at Etihad Stadium on March 12, 2019 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

The second player who’s stood out in this Manchester City side thus far this season has been the other Silva, Bernardo Silva.

Beloved by the fans as much as his Spanish counterpart, Bernardo has been as crucial to City’s success as almost any other player in the side.

Bernardo was coming off the back of a solid first season at the club. Despite being used primarily as a substitute, and most often out of his best position, Bernardo produced quite a bit in his first season in the side, providing nine goals and 11 assists in 53 appearances across all competitions. His role last season was as a super sub who could help step in for starts whenever wingers Raheem Sterling or Leroy Sane needed to rest, or when Guardiola felt his skill set was better suited to break down a particular defense.

Bernardo’s role and importance to the side, however, changed quite dramatically at the start of this season. Kevin De Bruyne, who was regarded as Manchester City’s best player last season, suffered a freak knee injury in training after the first Premier League game in August. Suddenly, Bernardo was put in the position of filling in for the team’s best player while he was slated to spend several months out of the side. The injury could have been potentially devastating to Manchester City’s season.

City, however, have replicated or exceeded their level from last season. Bernardo is a big reason why.

In 41 appearances across all competitions so far, Bernardo Silva has provided ten goals and 11 assists. That matches or exceeds his production in those categories from last season, despite having made 12 fewer appearances.

His form rating in the league stands at a 7.15, the second best league performance of his career, and a 7.57 in the UCL, his best rating in any competition in his career.

Bernardo has been key in helping the City midfield tick.

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In attack, Bernardo provides City with a second midfielder who can move into advanced positions behind the center forward or down the sides to create an overload in numbers. His dribbling is as good any player in the world. This enables him to navigate through tight spaces and attract multiple defenders to help cover him. His crossing is fantastic. He’s also shown improvement in his shooting, threatening defenders in and around the 18 yard box with hard hit, curling shots.

His biggest contribution, however, is what he provides out of possession. Bernardo is the key to making City’s press work. His ability to run at defenders and midfielders who are on the ball and force mistakes is unmatched in the side. City’s pressing when out of possession is not quite as effective when he’s out of the side.

His performance against Swansea this weekend was a perfect example of all the things Bernardo can do when he’s on his game.

Let’s next take a look at the third player who deserves consideration for Manchester City’s Player of the Year: Sergio Aguero.