Manchester City Captain Bernardo Silva to Depart at Season's End

Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva has confirmed he will depart the club at the end of the current season when his contract expires. Silva has recorded 76 goals and 77 assists across 451 appearances.

Guardiola noted that several long-serving players have left in the past 12 months, including Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gündogan, Éderson, and Kevin de Bruyne. The club signed new players last summer and in January to bolster the squad.

Guardiola's Reflections

on Silva Guardiola expressed hope that the team can secure the Premier League and FA Cup titles as a send-off for Silva.

He described Silva as a special player who deserves the best conclusion to his tenure. The manager affirmed that Silva will continue to play a crucial role in the remaining matches. >"Absolutely. " — Pep Guardiola, April 18, 2026 (ESPN) Guardiola rejected the idea that his team enters the title run-in with more conviction than rivals, pointing to the inexperience of newer squad members.

He mentioned that players like Rayan Cherki are in their first season and have not yet won the Premier League.

Squad Changes and New Additions Recent

signings include Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders from last summer, with Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guéhi joining in January.

Nico O'Reilly and Abdukodir Khusanov have become first-team regulars. Additionally, Manuel Akanji is on a season-long loan at Inter Milan. Rayan Cherki has tallied 10 goals and 13 assists in his debut season with Manchester City.

The season remains in progress, leaving room for additional contributions. Guardiola highlighted uncertainties about how new players will perform under pressure in title-deciding scenarios.

Upcoming Title Clash

Manchester City is set to host league leaders Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

A victory could reduce Arsenal's lead to three points, with City holding a game in hand. Guardiola stressed the need for his players to embrace the pressure of the match. >"We need that pressure. " — Pep Guardiola, April 18, 2026 (ESPN) The manager indicated that the outcome of this game is critical for City's pursuit of a fifth league title in six seasons.

He noted that many current players could be winning their first Premier League title. Guardiola also referenced Erling Haaland's anticipation for the challenge against Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhães.