Ex-Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit says Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva would be a “great” addition to the Blues’ squad.
There is a lack of experience in the club’s first-team ranks, and while Petit thinks Silva’s availability on a free transfer this summer would be a perfect opportunity to recruit a six-time Premier League winner, he can’t see the player being interested in the move:
“Bernardo Silva would be a great signing, but if I’m Silva, I’m not going to Chelsea. No, I’m definitely not going over there. Remember two years ago, I think Guardiola wanted Silva to leave the club. He was not even in the first team sometimes. And it changed everything.”
“For me, he’s been such an amazing player for City and the Premier League. He’s so intelligent. His movement, his tactics. And I really like him as a person, too. I think he’s a very, very important player both on and off the pitch. He’s an intelligent guy.”
“It’s not a question of money; he has so much money as well. If he goes to Chelsea, he will have nightmares. He will have trouble sleeping at night.”
Silva is likely to move abroad
The 31-year-old has spoken out over the last month to say that he has never really liked living in England, citing the weather and the food as being “very different” to his homeland, Portugal.
It is believed to be one of the main motivations for him leaving City this summer. While he has enjoyed his professional career in this country, he is looking for a change in his personal life. That means a switch to another Premier League club is very unlikely.
Chelsea are expected to target experience
While Silva may not be making the move to Stamford Bridge, there are several well-sourced stories suggesting that the club will change tack in the transfer market and add more seasoned pros to the squad.
It remains to be seen what that will mean in reality, but it appears Petit’s recommendation of Silva is not way off the mark.
Read more about the Chelsea First Team Squad for 2025/26 here
