Man City big name to stay after 'Guardiola learned his lesson with Gundogan'

02/14/2025 07:22 AM

Manchester City re-signed Ilkay Gundogan after just one season at Barcelona, but this campaign is proving increasingly challenging for Pep Guardiola and his once-untouchable icon.

Man City suffered a setback in the Champions League, losing 3-2 in the first leg of their inaugural play-off match against Real Madrid. City fans have been critical of players like Mateo Kovacic as they now face the risk of an early elimination.

Guardiola has been accused of having an obsession with Gundogan, but since his return, the midfielder has struggled to fill the void left by Rodri's absence.

However, despite City’s midfield issues, former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson has revealed that one key player is expected to stay at the club despite ongoing transfer speculation.

Bernardo Silva is expected to stay at Man City

Speaking on Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Robinson shared that he "expects" Bernardo Silva to remain at the club. Silva has been linked with a move away from Man City, but Robinson believes Guardiola sees him as an essential figure in the squad.

Robinson said: “No, I expect him [Silva] to stay. When they look at the players that he brought off the bench [against Real Madrid], all players that were already at Man City. Nobody that came in January. So the likes of Bernardo Silva. But it’s a lesson learned with Gundogan.

“So, you let Gundogan go and then actually brought him back into the side. So players like Bernardo Silva, your leaders in the dressing room, you need those types of players. And I think him last night he played in the defensive holding midfield role with John Stones.

“I think those types of players, you look at Bernardo Silva, whether he’s attacking, defending, he plays in week in and week out. If he’s fit, he plays. He’s the type of player that Pep relies on.

“You look at the starting 11 when he selects his team, Grealish is in and out, Foden’s in and out, John Stones in and out, injured. But Bernardo Silva is one of those players that Pep relies on and I think that he may have learned his lesson with the likes of Gundogan.

“And you look at Manchester City going forward, the nuisance of the squad, they’re going to need to keep the players that they’ve got.

“They’ve brought in some very, very good players but Pep wants his lieutenants. He wants those types of people in the dressing room. I’d be very, very surprised if Bernardo Silva left at the end of the season.”

Pep Guardiola must find solutions to avoid early Champions League exit

City haven't displayed their usual dominance this season, struggling with both on-pitch and off-field issues.

Since Rodri suffered an injury in September, Guardiola has experimented with different midfield options, including Gundogan and Silva, but the results have been underwhelming. In response, City signed Nico Gonzalez as a direct replacement, which could allow Silva to play further forward rather than covering defensively.

Guardiola now faces a season unlike any other, with City on the brink of a European exit and currently sitting fifth in the Premier League.

The post Man City big name to stay after 'Guardiola learned his lesson with Gundogan' appeared first on Football Insider.