Bernardo Silva returned to the stage of one of his most iconic goals for Manchester City, and Pep Guardiola found himself once again praising one of his most trusted players. At Villa Park, where Silva once delivered a breathtaking volley, it was now his tireless effort and adaptability in a challenging defeat that garnered admiration. “Bernardo is special,” Guardiola remarked. “He gives his all, no matter the role—attacking midfielder, holding midfielder, or defensive support. His commitment is exemplary.” While Silva hasn’t had a standout season, his importance has grown. In addition to his usual position on the right wing, he’s stepped into central midfield and even filled in as a holding midfielder. Guardiola, it seems, would happily clone the Portuguese star if he could. With injuries and limited options, Silva’s workload has surged, leaving him visibly stretched in recent matches. This was evident in City’s 2-1 loss to Aston Villa, where Silva ended the game as the team’s deepest midfielder. The usual midfield stand-ins, Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic, struggled to handle Villa’s attacks, leading to defensive vulnerabilities that resulted in both goals. Without a natural defensive midfielder, City’s frailties were exposed. Guardiola has consistently pointed to the return of key players as the solution. However, Rodri, the pivotal figure in City’s midfield, won’t be back until summer. For a club that has spent over £1.2 billion under Guardiola, there’s a certain reluctance to dip into the transfer market impulsively. Initially, City planned to avoid signing a temporary replacement for Rodri, fearing a new recruit might struggle to accept a secondary role once Rodri returns. Yet, with nine defeats in their last 12 matches and slipping out of Champions League qualification spots, the situation is more dire than anticipated. Guardiola himself admitted, “I knew it would be tough, but I didn’t expect this.” Despite their struggles, City appear uninterested in players like Martin Zubimendi and Bruno Guimaraes, both of whom have previously been on their radar. Zubimendi’s release clause is attainable, but his loyalty to Real Sociedad complicates any potential move. Guimaraes, who could provide flexibility as both a No. 6 and No. 8, was passed over in the summer, with his £100 million price tag deemed too steep. City’s hesitation stems partly from the challenge of integrating a holding midfielder into their system. Their complex playing style, combined with the inflated prices of January signings, makes finding a suitable candidate difficult. However, with 27 goals conceded in 12 games and the instability caused by Rodri’s absence, the case for a short-term signing is mounting. Guardiola’s history with elite defensive midfielders like Sergio Busquets, Philipp Lahm, and Xabi Alonso highlights his preference for high-caliber players. Yet even a less-than-perfect option might be better than none in the current circumstances. Without reinforcements, Silva could be forced to spend even more time covering defensively—a role that, while admirable, is not sustainable. The January window may not offer a perfect solution, but for City, plugging the gaps in midfield could be the difference between salvaging the season or watching their challenges escalate further.
