Bernardo Silva lined up for Manchester City in their UEFA Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night – a game in which City’s performance has come in for some criticism but the result was enough to see them book their place in the last 16.
The Portuguese international tweeted shortly after the conclusion of the game but it appears not all Manchester City fans were happy with his performance on the night with some calling for improvement.
Improve.Improve.Improve
— Gabriel Jesus? (@KontosAlexis) November 26, 2019
Brilliant to have you back on the pitch but take a long hard think now on why you are playing for this club and what you really want. Because your performances are absolutely shocking lately telling us you don’t want to play for this club anymore
— Albus Dumbledore (@chadlang_19) November 26, 2019
The worst player in our club
— Mehdi Nehar (@MehdiNehar2) November 26, 2019
Bernardo Silva out!!
— Aldrey Noviello (@Aldreyn06) November 27, 2019
Most overrated player in City
— Raouf Abada (@raouf_abada) November 27, 2019
U don’t deserve to play Mahrez Can do better than u
— IBRAHIM DZ (@senisaoui8) November 26, 2019
Mahrez is best than you. He will play against Newcastle
— Aya Elshazly (@AyaElsh71911849) November 26, 2019
What do we think?
The criticism of Bernardo Silva seems harsh. The 25-year-old, for the most part, has been sensational since his arrival in Manchester and has fast become one of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted players. You could argue that operating from a wider position doesn’t suit the former Monaco star but the team, in general, were below par during the draw with Shakhtar Donetsk and therefore singling him out seems unfair.
Who should start?
Bernardo Silva
Riyad Mahrez
There was a hope amongst some City supporters that after his goal against Chelsea at the weekend, Riyad Mahrez would be given a start and perhaps that frustration has added to the amount of criticism being thrown in Silva’s direction. The Portugal star, who is valued at £90 million (as per Transfermarkt), has scored 27 goals and provided 28 assists in 122 appearances for the club and is seen by many as the man who will step into David Silva’s role when the Spaniard leaves at the end of the season.