Pep Guardiola has suggested Bernardo Silva could start for Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Thursday after praising his performances in the biggest games.
The midfield hasn't started back-to-back games for the Blues since October but he played 87 minutes against Everton on Saturday and could be in the side against Chelsea, when City will look to cut the gap at the top to five points.
Bernardo was only on the bench for the Carabao Cup win against Liverpool and the Premier League success at Leeds and he's again said recently that he could look to leave the club in the summer for a new challenge.
READ MORE: Guardiola press conference as it happened
But Guardiola insists the uncertainty over his future is having no impact on Bernardo's involvement in the team, despite dropping to the bench more often recently.
"He's a key player, so important on and off the pitch. A guy who can talk, always a nice conversation, always you learn about his humanity, his vision for the club. He's an incredible player against top sides, incredibly reliable in decisive games he's always there. Nothing changed about his future, it belongs to him."
Guardiola will be without Ruben Dias for the trip to the capital, while Aymeric Laporte will be assessed in the final training session on Wednesday afternoon.
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