Wayne Bridge: Bernardo Silva's Man City influence is underrated

Bernardo Silva deserves more credit for the role he has played in Manchester City's astonishing season, according to Wayne Bridge.

The Portuguese midfielder has made 50 appearances for Pep Guardiola's side this season, scoring 13 times and setting up a further 12 as they dominated on the domestic front.

City stars such as Raheem Sterling and Vincent Kompany have been praised for their influential roles in a stunning campaign, but Bridge insists that Silva has been every bit as key to their success.

'One player I think is so underrated is Bernardo Silva,' said the 38-year-old. 'Every time I watch him I just think technically he is amazing.

'There wasn’t enough talk about him being player of the year. As an ex-footballer seeing some of the positions he’s in and when he’s got players around him, his feet, his vision, I just think he’s brilliant.

'He's Iniesta-like, where he’ll have people around them and they just get out of any situation.'

Silva and his City team-mates have the chance to make history on Saturday evening when they face Watford at Wembley in the FA Cup final, as they go in search of a domestic treble.

Bridge, who was speaking at a Virgin Media event, also has experience of playing in a side brimming with confidence.

He was part of Jose Mourinho's Chelsea side that lost just once as they cantered to the Premier League title in 2005 with 95 points.

And asked if he had any doubts over Guardiola's side becoming the first men's team in England to clinch the historic feat, he responded: 'No. Quite simple!

'City are playing amazing football, it’s amazing to watch. I go back to when we were at Chelsea. Every game I went into, nobody ever thought we were going to lose a game, Everybody thought we were all going to win.

'It wasn’t that overconfidence where you’re too overconfident and you make a mistake. Everyone was so switched on the whole game mentally - always focused - everyone worked hard for each other.

'You do see that with the City players as well. They look solid. They do close down well, they do press well, they do work hard. I know they’re amazing to watch but they do work hard as well.

'I guarantee they probably have the same feeling that I had back then that you’re walking down the tunnel and you think: "Yeah, we’re going to win today".

'There’s not one thing enters your mind thinking we’re going to lose.'

Wayne Bridge was appearing at the latest Virgin Media #SuperSaints event which saw fans play at St Mary’s Stadium. For more information on the campaign, visit https://www.virginmedia.com/virgin-tv-edit/super-saints