Silva: Man City ready to retain PL crown

Bernardo Silva believes Manchester City are in great physical shape and can retain their Premier League crown this season. Reigning champions City responded to a surprise 2-1 loss at Newcastle United last week by comfortably beating Arsenal 3-1 on Sunday. With Liverpool held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham on Monday, Pep Guardiola's side will return to the top of the table if they beat Everton on Wednesday – a fixture brought forward due to their run to the EFL Cup final.

City are still fighting for trophies on four fronts and Silva is confident they are in good shape and will finish top of the Premier League if they do what they are capable of.

"We'll always dream. We know that in the Premier League anything is possible, there are lots of games and anything can happen," Silva was quoted as saying by the club's official website. We just need to do our job and if we do it right, I believe we can be champions. Physically we're good, we have a big squad with many options and after the win against Arsenal we are eager and determined to reduce the gap to Liverpool even more."

"Our focus is to beat Everton at Goodison Park, get the three points that will help us climb to the top of the table and kick on again."

 

February 3, 2019

City held a 13-point lead at the summit this time last year and Silva acknowledged their title rivals have strengthened, while lesser teams have a greater motivation to defeat them.

"Around this time last year, we had probably 10 points more compared to the second place, whereas this year we are now in the second position - but that can change very soon," he said. "Things might not be as good as they were last season, but we must accept and fight, give everything because in my opinion, we must be top of the league. It won't be easy as we have very difficult games, but also our opponents."

"The teams around us are stronger this season, they prepared their squads well, especially Liverpool who haven't dropped many points at all and that's why they are first.

"The other teams know us well; they know we are the champions and they have a different and special motivation to play against us, as Newcastle did. We must do be better, overcome those challenges and win our games, starting against Everton."