Guardiola Uncertain About Silva’s Contract Plans
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed uncertainty regarding Bernardo Silva’s contract status, indicating that Silva has not communicated whether he intends to extend his deal, which is set to expire at the close of the season.
On October 23, 2025, Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol revealed that he nearly turned his back on football as a youth to pursue basketball, seeking greater happiness in his athletic pursuits. This significant decision nearly took place during his time at Dinamo Zagreb.
At the age of 16, Gvardiol felt he wasn’t advancing within Zagreb’s first team and began contemplating alternative career options in sports. “I was considering quitting because I enjoy basketball as well,” he shared with BBC Sport. “I was unsure about my future in football anymore, especially when I no longer felt happy during training.” He mentioned that he sought to find joy again and that many of his friends were playing basketball.
Ultimately, Gvardiol made a breakthrough with the Zagreb squad, contributing to consecutive championship victories in Croatia. His subsequent transfer to RB Leipzig for £16 million marked him as the most expensive Croatian teenager of all time.
Two years later, Gvardiol joined Manchester City for a fee of £77 million ($103 million), making him the second-most expensive defender in history, following Harry Maguire‘s record transfer to Manchester United.
Since his arrival at City, Gvardiol has outscored all defenders in the Premier League, participating in 55 of City’s 61 matches last season as both a center-back and left-back. Recently, he has been featured as a left-sided center-back during City’s ongoing five-match unbeaten streak.
“I’m pleased to return to my position,” Gvardiol stated. “My focus is on playing simply, protecting the goal, and defending effectively. While we have new objectives this season and aim high, it’s still early to discuss our goals, considering the long season ahead. We’ll take it game by game.”
Currently, Manchester City sits three points behind Arsenal at the top of the Premier League standings, and they hope to close that gap in their upcoming match against Aston Villa.
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