High atop the list for this season’s Premier League player of the year is Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva.
The Portuguese international has been at his majestic best for the Cityzens this season, however, things could’ve so easily been different had he left the club last summer.
Initially suspected to be due to a lack of desired playing time, Silva was largely linked with a move away from City during the summer transfer window.
In an interview with the Times, the midfielder has stated exactly why he thought of leaving.
The 27-year-old said, “I asked for a transfer last summer, I was lonely in England, I wasn’t happy and when you’re not happy you can’t do your best work. I spoke with the club expressing my desire to get closer to home. I had nothing against my club, I love Manchester City.”
There have been plenty of discussions regarding the mental toll footballers incur due to atrocities such as racism or abuse online.
Yet, there hasn’t been enough discussion to highlight the fact that overseas players often leave behind their families and homes for different destinations across Europe. And while Silva has stuck around, for the time being, he hasn’t entirely ruled out a move away in the future,
“At the end of the season, I’m going to sit down with City and see what’s best for both sides,” he said. “We’re in the middle of the season and we want to win a lot of important trophies. We can win all three of them, or zero, or one. Now is not a good time to talk about [my future] “
If he does decide on a move away, there will be no shortage of suitors vying for his signature.
Nevertheless, City will certainly do everything they can to keep ahold of the talented midfielder.