Bernardo Silva solidifies his claim to being the greatest Portuguese export to the Premier League with milestone against Chelsea.
Bernardo Silva is one of the most understated players in the Premier League, but his performance for Manchester City in the 2-0 victory against Chelsea and the milestone it helped him reach brought him much-deserved plaudits.
The 30-year-old reprised his usual midfielder-cum-winger role in Pep Guardiola’s set-up. He assisted the opening goal of the game, laying the ball off to Erling Haaland, who rode challenges from Marc Cucurella and Levi Colwill before finishing past Robert Sanchez.
14:31 - 16.08.2024
Meet the WAGS of Manchester City stars who attended Bernardo Silva's 30th birthday party
Bernardo Silva hosted his Man City teammates and their WAGs at his 30th birthday celebration.
18:31 - 18.08.2024
Chelsea vs Man City: Haaland stars as champions silence Maresca's Blues at Stamford Bridge
Goals from Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic helped Manchester City defeat Chelsea 2-0 in their season opener at Stamford Bridge.
The assist proved a historic one for Silva, as it ties him with legendary Manchester United winger Nani for the most by a Portuguese player in the Premier League.
Bernardo’s Premier League numbers
The Portugal international joined Pep Guardiola's side in the summer of 2017 from Monaco for a reported €50 million fee.
He needed time to settle, and since he has, his value has been immeasurable for Pep’s ultra-successful Manchester City. He has amassed 234 appearances in the league for the club and has been a part of all six Premier League titles won in the Guardiola era.
He scored 39 goals and, more importantly—in the context of this article—notched 43 assists.
How that compares to his compatriots
Nani previously held the title amongst Portuguese contingents in the Premier League for Assister-Supreme. In his 147 games for Manchester, the electric winger had 43 assists. They remain tied; however, with Nani retired, it is expected that Bernardo will soon surpass him.
Third on the list is Bruno Fernandes, who, according to the Premier League, has 41 assists in 160 appearances. Fourth place goes to the Premier League's only Ballon d'Or winner, who in his 236 Premier League games across two spells with Manchester United could only manage 37 assists.
The fifth player on the list is also the only one in the top five to contribute to their total with appearances from multiple Premier League clubs: Luis Boa Morte. The now-retired winger, who won the Premier League and FA Cup titles with Arsenal, registered 35 assists across stints with the Gunners', Fulham, West Ham and Southampton.
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