On June 3 , according to "Sport", Bernardo Silva can offer Barcelona multiple solutions.
"He is irreplaceable. When Bernardo is not there, we have to change our system." Guardiola once used this sentence to sum up Bernardo Silva's importance to Man City.
For Guardiola, just as Vitinha does for PSG and Pedri for Barcelona, Bernardo represents more than just a position; he embodies a role. Even if his position on the pitch is not fixed, his presence can define the team's style of play.
Guardiola also said: "He can do everything. A coach's dream is to have a player who can play in any position except goalkeeper."
Guardiola's words were not bluster. In that Monaco team featuring Mbappé, Bernardo played on the wing in a 4-4-2 system. After Man City signed him, Guardiola consistently used the Portuguese player in different positions.
At Man City, Bernardo has played as a pure central midfielder, his most natural position; he has also operated as a defensive midfielder, attacking midfielder, false nine, and even at left-back.
In addition to his running ability and willingness to cooperate, Guardiola has always emphasized another side of Bernardo: "I chose him as captain for a reason: when we are in big trouble, he is always there. No matter what position he plays, he is always thinking about what is best for the team."
For a Barcelona team that has gradually lost leadership and experience, with Iñigo leaving last summer and Lewandowski now also departing, bringing in Bernardo would make even more sense. He also fits the direction Flick appears to have been considering: giving the team more control.
In the final stage of the season, coinciding with Lamine's absence, Flick insisted on adding a fourth midfielder. Gavi, Pedri, Olmo, and Fermín often spent long periods on the field together, while the right flank was shared by Rooney and Rashford.
With his versatile attributes, Bernardo can offer Flick more options in multiple positions, especially by adding a top-level competitor for the toughest matches of the season.
On crucial Champions League nights, it is not hard to imagine De Jong, Pedri, and Bernardo forming the midfield. With such a combination, Flick could field three of the team's best midfielders at retaining possession under pressure simultaneously.
Flick could also have a player capable of playing a similar role to Xavi during Enrique's time at Barcelona: a luxury substitute who can come on in the second half when the team lacks control. With Bernardo, Flick could also better manage Pedri's playing time, as the two share many similarities in their footballing characteristics.
Like the Canarian player, Bernardo's value is not reflected only in his ability on the ball. He is also one of the players who covers the most distance in every match.
Bernardo can play in any midfield position, but Flick currently has six players for those roles: De Jong, Casado, Bernal, Pedri, Gavi, and Olmo. If Bernardo joins, Barcelona will have a seventh option.
Therefore, within the club, possible ways to make room for the Portuguese player include Casado leaving, although the player himself is currently unwilling, or Rooney departing from the attacking line. Bernardo can play on both wings and also operate as a false nine.
In Man City's treble-winning season, Bernardo primarily played as a right winger, a position occupied by Lamine at Barcelona. This season, he has featured more often alongside the defensive midfielder, whether partnered with Rodri, Nico, or Kovacic; in other words, his area of activity is very close to Pedri's usual position.
With Bernardo, Barcelona would gain greater control rather than more explosive players, and stronger game-reading ability rather than individual bursts of skill. Xavi had hoped to bring him to his Barcelona side, but now it seems that Flick may be the one to enjoy his services.