Man City skipper Bernardo Silva hails Pep Guardiola’s new generation

ORLANDO – Manchester City’s statement 5-2 hammering of Juventus in their final Group G game at the Club World Cup on June 26 left new captain Bernardo Silva purring over the new-look team’s future.

After a frustrating trophyless season last term, City delivered a performance that indicated they have a real chance of battling for the title of world champions in New Jersey on July 13.

“We’ve always been potential winners in all competitions that we play,” said Silva.

“Obviously it’s just one game, but we’re happy that the performance was the way it was. It shows that we’re improving, we’re coming back to the levels and to the standards that we got people used to at this club.

“That’s a good sign for next season. We want to build to the whole season, to the whole year. What happened last year was quite disappointing for all of us. We want to change, we want to be better. Today was a great performance and it shows that we can do it again.”

The goals came from Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Savinho and an own goal from Pierre Kalulu.

New arrivals Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki in midfield and Rayan Ait-Nouri at left-back also showed against Juve that they have the profiles to fit into the City mould immediately.

Silva, the 30-year-old Portuguese midfielder recently appointed as the club’s skipper, is charged with the job of integrating an exciting crop of new players into Pep Guardiola’s first team.

“It’s probably one of the biggest honours of my career. I’m starting my ninth season at the club,” he added.

“We went through a lot of fantastic moments and some disappointments as well. All that experience, I will try to pass it to the younger guys.

“I’m counting on Ruben (Dias), on Rodri, on Erling, on all the guys to help me. Because I will need that help to help the team achieve a lot of things and hopefully win titles.”

With Omar Marmoush and Savinho, who joined the team in 2024, having had chance to settle, there is a very fresh feel to this City side no longer with players such as Kevin de Bruyne and Kyle Walker.

“The club always finds new solutions, a new generation of players that has to keep putting this club in the right path up at the top,” said Silva.

“It’s nice that we have new blood in the team. These guys have a lot of energy, have a lot of quality. It’s up to us, the older ones to give them the right path to achieve the good things.”

City will next take on Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, with the last-16 match in Orlando on June 30.

In Group H, Vinicius Jr scored one and set up another as Real Madrid secured a 3-0 victory over RB Salzburg to seal top spot and also advance to the round of 16.

Federico Valverde and Gonzalo Garcia scored the other two goals for Xabi Alonso’s side.

Real will face Juventus at the Hard Rock Stadium on July 1. AFP, REUTERS