After an incredible nine years’ service, during which time El Mago has established himself amongst City’s finest-ever players, the 33-year old confirmed earlier this summer that he would be moving on at the end of the 2019/20 season.
Since making the switch to City from Valencia in the summer of 2010, Silva has cemented a deserved reputation as not only one of the most gifted players ever to wear sky blue – but as also amongst the finest-ever overseas player to grace the Premier League.
And ahead of the new campaign – which gets underway with this Sunday’s Community Shield encounter with Liverpool at Wembley – Bernardo revealed how he was determined to make the most of Silva’s remaining time at the club by further following his sterling example.
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“I have learnt a lot from playing alongside him (David),” said Bernardo.
“He’s probably one of the best midfielders ever and every year he shows you how good he is.
“For me to be with him it’s a pleasure. I learn from him in every training session and it’s great to have him in our team.
“David is on his last season and I think he has already said that.
“The work he did for the club (playing for) 10 years, it’s great - fantastic the work he did for the club.
“Over the last few years we lost Yaya (Toure) and now Vinny (Kompany) and we will lose David next season, but the team continues, and we try to do our best.
“Then we will have plenty of players to try and do a good job without him.”
Bernardo emerged as one of the key pivots in City’s historic Fourmidables campaign of last season, building on the foundations of a fine first season here after his move from Monaco in the summer of 2017.
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His artistry and all-round excellence then continued into the summer where he helped inspire Portugal to European Nations League success on home soil.
But the 24-year-old is now keen to kick-on again and, ahead of the new campaign, he pledged to strive to continue to improve as a player.
“I try to train hard every day and to do my best and work a lot and, hopefully, this season I can do even better,” the Portuguese international added.
“We will see. I will try to do it knowing that the standards are high right now.
“I’m always 100 per cent focused to do better and better”
