How do Man City replace captain Silva if he leaves?

Captain Bernardo Silva has won 18 pieces of silverware at Manchester City Manchester City could lose the services of their manager and captain next season with the futures of both Pep Guardiola and Bernardo Silva in question beyond this summer. Manager Guardiola has led the club to an unprecedented period of success during his tenure and midfielder Silva - his most trusted lieutenant - has been beside him every step of the way. When the skipper climbed the steps at Wembley Stadium following City's brilliant Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal on Sunday, it was the 18th piece of silverware he had lifted since joining the club from Monaco in 2017.

Silva may not quite have the standing of past City icons such as Kevin de Bruyne, Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany or David Silva, but his achievements will undoubtedly sit alongside theirs when he does make his exit from Etihad Stadium. Guardiola, a great generation, and dogs called John and Charles The influence of Guardiola on me is massive - Silva There is a clear understanding and mutual respect between Guardiola and Silva, one of the key reasons why he was handed the armband at the start of this season following the departure of De Bruyne. Guardiola professed his "love" for Silva earlier this season, saying he had a "weakness" for the 31-year-old and enthusing how the player was "always there" even during the lows of last season when the team finished third in the Premier League and failed to win a major trophy for the first time in nearly a decade.

Silva told BBC Sport in December that Guardiola has been a "massive" influence on his career and that his boss has a "special affection for me" having played under him for nine years and enjoyed a trophy-laden era. The Portuguese midfielder is one short of 450 City appearances in all competitions and all of those have come under Guardiola - no player has been selected more times by the ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager. He has managed only three goals and five assists this season but it is his leadership qualities and reliability that Guardiola rates so highly in Silva, who has played in more Premier League games than any City player this season.

His hardworking nature has seen Silva clock up a team-high 304. 9km distance travelled during those games, while his carrying ability has allowed him to notch a total of 5,094m with the ball at his feet, a number unmatched by any team-mate. Of top-flight players who have played more than 1,200 minutes this season, only four average more distance covered per 90 minutes than Silva's 12.