Pep Guardiola compares Manchester City star to Lionel Messi
Pep Guardiola has admitted that Bernardo Silva’s second goal in Manchester City’s thumping 6-1 win over Bournemouth reminded him of Lionel Messi.
Silva was in stunning form for Man City during Saturday’s emphatic win, bagging two goals at the Etihad Stadium. The Portugal international’s second goal was particularly special, with Silva racing down the flank and jinking past Lloyd Kelly before dinking the ball over Ionut Andrei Radu in the Bournemouth goal.
Speaking after the game, Guardiola was keen to lump special praise on said second goal, hailing it as a Messi-esque finish: “What can I say about him? He is playing holding, on the right, on the left. I push him to score goals, it’s the next step in his career. You are an incredibly good player.
“The last goal reminded me of Messi, the way he did it. He’s an extraordinary player.”
Guardiola also took the time to discuss the remarkable performance of Jeremy Doku. The new signing was in utterly electric form, bagging five goal contributions in the win. The manager admitted he was surprised by how good Doku played, saying: “He surprised all of us – he’s a great footballer.
“He reads every action for exactly what he has to do. His quality is close to the box. Always we talk about that.
“Go, dribble, and go because it’s difficult to find a player today with the ability to play in small spaces and he is one of the fastest players over five metres.
“It’s incredible how he changes the rhythm in five metres. After that when he’s not able to dribble, he takes good decisions and I’m impressed by that. That’s why for me he’s a great, great footballer.”
Guardiola will be hoping the pair continue their fine form when Man City face off against Young Boys in the Champions League and Chelsea in the Premier League next week.
