Bernardo Silva poised to reach 400 games with Manchester City

An integral part of the Monaco team that dazzled Europe during the 2016/17 season, Bernardo Silva made the move to Manchester City at the end of that campaign, joining the club's ambitious project. At the time, the 22-year-old was one of the marquee signings for Guardiola's second year in charge.

City spent around €50 million to bring him in, and from the very start, the Portuguese midfielder became a key figure for the Spanish coach. Used in almost every position in midfield and attack, Silva has earned an untouchable status that, at 30, he still holds after completing his eighth season in Manchester.

On Friday, in a crucial match against Wolves, Bernardo Silva will reach his 400th appearance for City, provided he plays. This remarkable feat places him in an exclusive statistical elite alongside his contemporaries David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne.

A club of three

David Silva and De Bruyne are the only other players to have reached 400 appearances for Manchester City in the modern era.

The Spaniard, who was one of the club's early pioneers and most important players during the early years of the current ownership, departed after an impressive 437 appearances. De Bruyne, who will leave the club at the end of the season, has made 417 appearances - 418 if he plays against Wolves - since joining in the summer of 2015.

However, while Bernardo Silva will be the third player to hit 400 appearances, he will be the first to reach the milestone in the Guardiola era. Most of David Silva's appearances came under Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini, while De Bruyne's first 41 were under the Chilean.

As a result, Silva, who will reach 400 appearances against Wolves, surpasses De Bruyne (376), Ederson (365), Gundogan (350), and Kyle Walker (319). The Belgian, Brazilian, and German could add to their totals if they feature on Friday.

Goals, assists and a trophy-laden era under Guardiola

Silva's legacy under Guardiola continues to grow. It's no surprise that Guardiola has placed such trust in a player who has become the seventh highest scorer for the team (71 goals) and the second top assister (67 assists).

These impressive individual numbers have been accompanied by tremendous collective success, with Silva boasting six Premier League titles (2017/18, 2018/19, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24), four EFL Cups (2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21), two FA Cups (2018/19, 2022/23), three Community Shields (2018, 2019, 2024), one Champions League trophy (2022/23), one UEFA Super Cup trophy (2023), and one Club World Cup title (2023).

His trophy haul could increase in the coming days with a potential FA Cup win over Crystal Palace and the new Club World Cup on the horizon. With a contract running until 2026, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Bernardo Silva at the club he has helped define.

Although many of his teammates, with whom he achieved City's glory, are now moving on, the Portuguese still has plenty of years of football ahead. With Guardiola committed long-term, who knows if the next big goal for Silva, his coach's right-hand man, could be reaching 500 appearances as a sky blue.