However, he had made Real Madrid his priority. Arriving free from Manchester City this summer, Bernardo Silva had, in fact, been convinced by José Mourinho himself, who had called him to explain his project directly to him. The choice was therefore clear: rather than FC Barcelona or Atlético de Madrid, the Portuguese international (113 caps, 14 goals) had favored Real, with the idea of finding a major role in a squad designed for major events. For his part, Mourinho had made a personal request, considering his versatility and experience as important assets to reshape his midfield.
282 minutes of play, 0 goals
“Real Madrid CF and Bernardo Silva have reached an agreement whereby he will be a Real Madrid player for the next two seasons, until June 30, 2028”welcomed Casa Blanca. Yes, but the Portuguese’s first weeks in the Spanish capital quickly created a contradiction. Presented as a central piece of the new project carried by the Special One, the 1m73 left-hander was ultimately only started three times for a starving record: 282 minutes of play in 6 appearances, 0 goals and only 1 assist. Used in the heart of the game alongside Valverde during his first start, the Lisbon native was then repositioned higher up the pitch.
Problem, the number 20 of the Merengues suffers today from fierce competition in midfield with Valverde, Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Bellingham and even Güler, who offer Mourinho numerous combinations. “He showed up for pre-season in a fairly poor physical condition, he needs to improve”also explained the former Inter Milan coach to justify the low playing time of his protégé at the start of the year. Unfortunately for the ex-Benfica and AS Monaco player, the weeks pass and nothing changes. Remaining on the substitutes’ bench during Casa Blanca’s victory against Elche, Silva only played 8 minutes of play this Sunday in the Madrid derby (1-2). Shunned by his coach, the Lusitano attacking midfielder finds himself in a worrying situation.
A physical or tactical problem?
“The contradiction of Bernardo Silva: he chose Real Madrid to start, but only played three games as a starter”summarizes Sport, this Monday morning, in a long article devoted to the Portuguese. The paradox is all the more interesting since the new Madrid technician never seemed to consider Silva as a simple complementary player. Its signature responded precisely to the need for an element capable of adapting to several configurations. The Portuguese technician thus used him in a double pivot, while his technical profile also allows him to occupy a more offensive role. This versatility is both his strength and, paradoxically, what can complicate his situation.
Indeed, in a squad where several players have a clearly identified status or role, Bernardo Silva can become the one that the coach moves according to needs. The enigma therefore seems less to do with its place in Mourinho’s plans than with the shifting hierarchy of the Madrid environment. The suspensions of Silva, Camavinga and Güler had, for example, forced Mourinho to modify his midfielder against Inter, proof that his absence can quickly weigh on the technician’s choices. It now remains to be seen whether Bernardo Silva will end up transforming this versatility into real regular starting status, or if it will remain what allows him above all to be the ideal piece to complete the eleven without systematically being one of the first certainties. In the meantime, Real Madrid are in 4th place in La Liga and are already 6 points behind FC Barcelona…
