Bernardo Silva has urged Vincent Kompany to stay at Manchester City for “a few more years” after his captain’s display against Leicester.
And the brilliant little Portugal schemer has urged his teammates to ensure that the skipper’s wonder strike in that game ends up being meaningful in the title race.
Kompany’s contract runs out in the summer, and his future is not set to be determined until after the FA Cup final on May 18.
Pep Guardiola said last night, after the 1-0 victory, that they would settle things over a beer.
Kompany has been a colossus in the second half of the season, even though his ongoing injury problems have meant he is not available for every game.
And Bernardo expressed the importance of the Belgian in the City squad.
“He’s a man for the big games. Whenever you need him, he’s always there,” said Bernardo.
“He doesn’t feel the pressure. It doesn’t matter to him – he likes the pressure, embraces it, and he gets even better for that.
“He is one of the biggest players this club has ever seen and I hope he can stay with us a few more years, of course. He’s our captain and so important for us.”
Kompany’s strike simply enhanced his legend with City fans, but Bernardo made it plain that he is equally important within the dressing room.
“If anyone deserves that goal, it’s him,” he said. “The way he works, what he means for the dressing room and the fans.
“It’s not normal for a centre back to arrive at that point and strike that ball, so it’s a moment you will remember.
“But it won’t mean anything if we don’t win the title, so we have to win on Sunday to make this goal mean something.”
Kompany claimed that he often scores goals like that in training, but Bernardo disputed that, with a mischievous grin.
“Never, never, never, never, never! He always puts the ball in the stands!” he said.
“Our second half was better than the first – we were more aggressive with and without the ball.
“And then that strike from Vinny! It’s not usual, but what a strike! And what a win for us.
“I was thinking ‘Vinny, pass me the ball, pass me the ball’ but then he just struck it and wow, what a goal.
“No-one was expecting that but our captain deserves it more than anyone, and hopefully that goal can get us closer to winning a title that would mean a lot to this club, as Man City have never won two titles in a row.”
Bernardo Silva says Liverpool FC have made Man City even better
