Pep has 'weakness' for Silva

[Getty Images]

You can see how much Bernardo Silva means to Pep Guardiola from the way the Manchester City manager praised his playmaker earlier this month.

Guardiola said he "loves" Silva and the Portuguese is a player for whom he "has a weakness".

The City boss feels he has never been let down by the 31-year-old and even when Silva was sent off during the Champions League last-16 second leg loss against Real Madrid, he refused to blame the player, saying it was an "instinctive" reaction to handle the ball.

Speaking before City's win at Chelsea last weekend, Guardiola was asked if Silva was under-rated and he gave a glowing response.

"He is not the tallest one, the most muscular one, or score 50 goals or make 50 assists a season," he said.

"These are the type of players that are spotlighted and everyone talks about. From nine years, I know him quite well and for what a manager requires.

"All managers would say how much they love him because he is incredibly competitive, has a fire inside him always. In the toughest moments and on the biggest stages, he is always there.

"He has been an incredible signing for us, incredible. I love this club and I would love if he could stay and finish his career here but I do not know. He will decide what he will decide. It is his decision."

That decision has now been made and Silva will leave the Etihad this summer.