Riyad Mahrez has told Pep Guardiola exactly how to get the best out of teammate Bernardo Silva in a Manchester City shirt.
After starting City's opening two games of the Premier League season on the bench, Bernardo Silva has regained his place in Pep Guardiola's starting XI. The Portuguese midfielder was particular impressive in the wins against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, despite often finding himself out on the right wing rather than in his preferred number eight role.
It was in a deeper position that Bernardo excelled in last season, particularly in the latter months of the season when he often dropped deep alongside Rodri to aid City's ball progression and build-up play. Thanks to his work-rate, agility and technical skill, it's a role he is perfectly suited to.
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In the latest episode of CityTV documentary Together: Champions Again , teammates and close friends Bernardo and Mahrez discussed the issue of the former's best position.
In one scene, as the players prepared in the dressing room ahead of a Champions League match, Mahrez heckled to Bernardo: "The tap in merchant!"
Bernardo walked over to the camera and explained: "My position is an attacking defender. There's no one else that does this.
"I'm always having fun with the guys because they say that I don't attack, I don't defend. So I say I'm not an attacking player but I'm not a defender - I'm an attacking defender."
The concept may be a little confusing and contradictory, but it's one that Mahrez agreed with.
"He is [an attacking defender] to be fair," the Algerian said. "You always think, 'why are they saying this?', but he actually is so much better when he's playing deeper. He's so good defensively as well."
Owing to the injury absence of Jack Grealish in recent weeks and the patchy form of Mahrez, Bernardo has reprieved the role on the right wing he was given when he first arrived at the club in 2017.
However, with Grealish now back from injury and Julian Alvarez looking good when he's played on the right, Guardiola may soon take Mahrez's advice and move Bernardo back into a deeper position.
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