I Told Them to Sign Him!” – Bernardo Silva’s Transfer Wish Was Rejected by Man City, and It’s Now a £50M Mistake That’s Cost Them Their Season
Manchester City’s reluctance to sign a true defensive midfield backup for Rodri has turned out to be one of the biggest missteps of their 2024/25 campaign. The decision, once seen as a vote of confidence in the existing squad, has now exposed a glaring hole in Pep Guardiola’s plans—particularly in a season where nothing has gone quite according to script for the reigning champions.
Rodri, who has become the heartbeat of City’s midfield since joining from Atlético Madrid, was sorely missed when he suffered a devastating ACL injury earlier this season. His absence disrupted City’s rhythm and left Guardiola scrambling to find a reliable replacement to anchor the midfield—a search that ultimately proved fruitless. Without the Spaniard’s control, defensive awareness, and calming influence in the center of the park, City’s performances dipped and consistency vanished.
Although Guardiola has confirmed that Rodri is on track to return soon, the damage may already be done. City’s title charge has faltered, and many supporters are labeling this campaign as the most disappointing in recent memory under Guardiola’s reign. A lack of depth in key areas—most notably in defensive midfield—has played a significant role.
One name that continues to haunt City fans and pundits alike is Joao Neves. The Portuguese prodigy was heavily linked with a move to the Etihad last summer, and even received public backing from teammate Bernardo Silva, who admitted in June 2023 that he would love to see Neves join him in Manchester. Bernardo didn’t stop there—he reiterated his admiration in November, again voicing his desire to line up alongside the 20-year-old at City.
Instead, Paris Saint-Germain swooped in and secured Neves’ signature from Benfica in a deal worth £50 million, as reported by BBC Sport. While City hesitated, PSG acted decisively, and it now looks like a major coup for the Ligue 1 champions.
In hindsight, Manchester City may have committed a critical error by not going all-out for Neves. His performances since joining PSG have been nothing short of spectacular. Despite his modest build, Neves has emerged as one of Europe’s most tenacious and technically gifted midfielders. He leads the Champions League in tackles and has displayed a fearless attitude, breaking up play and protecting the backline with maturity well beyond his years.
Neves is far more than just a destroyer. With the ball at his feet, he’s elegant, poised, and intelligent. His passing range, press resistance, and ability to dictate the tempo make him a standout talent—precisely the kind of profile Guardiola usually cherishes. He can operate in all phases of midfield, from deep-lying positions to more advanced roles, much like Rodri. Having both in the same squad would have given City a wealth of tactical options and allowed Guardiola to rotate or even reinvent his midfield setup without compromising control.
Sources suggest Guardiola himself may have played a pivotal role in City missing out on Neves. Speaking to The Times, the City boss admitted that he personally advised the club not to overhaul the squad last summer. “In the summer, the club thought about doing it and I said: ‘No, I don’t want to make any signings. I rely on the team and I want to stay with them,’” Guardiola said. “Just Savio came in and Gundo [Ilkay Gundogan] came back. But after the injuries, wow, maybe we should have done it.”
It’s a rare moment of reflection from Guardiola—who usually stands firm in his decisions—acknowledging that with hindsight, the choice not to reinforce the squad may have been a mistake.
The saga of Joao Neves serves as a painful reminder of the fine margins in football. While City have rarely faltered in the transfer market under Guardiola’s watch, this could go down as a major “what if” moment. Neves is flourishing in Paris, while City were left exposed in a vital area of the pitch—and ultimately paid the price.
With the summer transfer window approaching and Hugo Viana stepping in as the club’s new Director of Football, Manchester City may be forced to re-evaluate their midfield strategy. One thing is certain: the next Rodri-shaped void cannot go unfilled again.
