Pep Guardiola Names The Best Player In The Premier League, Explains His Choice

Pep Guardiola named Bernardo Silva as the best player in the Premier League after he dazzled for Manchester City in a 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

The Portuguese midfielder scored a sensational first-half volley for what proved to be the winning goal at Villa Park.

Gabriel Jesus picked out Silva from the right and though he could have touched the ball down, he struck the ball first-time in superb fashion to finish off a breathtaking counter-attack.

It was Silva's fifth goal of the season this season in stunning campaign, with this outing against Villa another example of what a complete player the 27-year-old is.

Asked where Silva ranked in the Premier League at the moment, Pep Guardiola's answer was simple.

"The best," Guardiola replied in his post-match press conference.

"When we made 98 points two or three years ago, he was the best, too. Take the videos and you will see.

"It was an incredible finish. The goal was good, it was quick. To beat them was an incredible step for us.

"The performance, 90 minutes, it was exceptional, the way we start the game. Villa have everything and the way we behaved today was really really good."

Silva initially started slowly following his move £43.5 million move from Monaco in 2017 but scored 13 and assisted 14 in all competitions in his second season as the club won an unprecedented domestic treble.

He was named in the PFA Team of the Year as a result.

This summer, however, Silva wanted to leave the club and Guardiola was willing to let him. AC Milan and Atletico Madrid were both keen on the former Benfica man but a transfer never materialised.

And both Guardiola and City will be grateful that Silva did stay put after a series of scintillating, Man of the Match displays that have seen him get back to his very best.

Silva has been City's best player this term by far and is a huge factor as to why they remain locked in an exciting title race alongside Chelsea and Liverpool.

City currently lie in second-place on 32 points, one behind Chelsea and one ahead of Liverpool after the latest round of results.

Featured Image Credit: Image: PA

Topics: Mohamed Salah, Bernardo Silva, Manchester City, Premier League

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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