Hey Bernardo,
We just wanted to write you this letter to tell you how much we love you and that we can’t bear the thought of you leaving.
We know you’ve made up your mind, so if you still feel the same way at the end of the season we won’t stand in your way. Whatever happens, we’ll always love you.
Since the moment we first set eyes on you we knew we were in love.
We weren’t together back then, arriving in Monaco all-smiles and confident that nothing was going to stand in the way of a Manchester City win, then we saw you glide across the turf and suddenly we had eyes for no one else.
You embarrassed City that night, shrugged us off and made us look foolish, but that only made us want you more. We were out of the Champions League, but it was worth it just to see you play. It was only a matter of time before we met again.
Ever since you walked through the door four years ago, we’ve known nothing but happiness. Maybe at first, you took time to adapt, to feel fully comfortable in a new relationship, but that was to be expected.
By 2018/19, we were on top of the world. Running down the wing, making us sing – alright, you didn’t end up taking us to Madrid, but we had a bloody good time trying.
We sing your name on the terraces, we dance and cheer every time you touch the ball. Your energy is infectious, your drive intoxicating and your attitude tenacious; we just love being around you. You make us feel alive.
And who could forget that electric night in January 2019? In that top of the table clash with Liverpool, you were unplayable. Your greatest game in sky blue. You were immense. You stood up for us, fought for every ball, defended our honour like that 90 minutes meant more to you than any that had ever gone before it.
If we were to pinpoint one individual performance that encapsulates what it means to play for Pep Guardiola’s City, it would be that. You simply didn’t stop and would probably still be running around the Etihad Stadium now if the referee hadn’t blown his whistle. That Premier League title belongs to you.
We’ve got so many other great memories too. A screamer against Manchester United at Old Trafford, outstanding European nights, jaw-dropping skills and ball control that makes us blush.
But, above all that, what means the most to us is that you’ve always cared. In fact, we can tell you still do.
Not every player connects with the fans like you do. Yes, we’ve played our part, but this is down to you.
For some, pulling on the City jersey is just a day job, but you’ve embraced every aspect of this club and city as if it were your hometown. The way you celebrated that goal at Leicester City on Saturday, running to us, fist-pumping, loving every second – we know you still care and we care too.
Fan Brands – Man City
You may notice this piece of writing has been produced by a name you’re not familiar with on our regular Manchester City content.
That is because we are expanding our horizons and starting to bring even more to you from a whole host of different voices. We have appointed a whole host of people who – like our journalists – care deeply about what’s happening at Etihad Stadium – but sit in the stands rather than the press box.
We want to give you raw, authentic fan voices about the big issues at Man City – which is why the story you have read today might sit on Manchester Evening News for now, and is part of the MEN family, but is not representative of those who work there full time.
Keep your eyes peeled for more info on where you can read more from this author in the future. But in the meantime, we hope you enjoy what they have written.
Hundreds, no, thousands of players have played for this club, but only a few have become one of us. You really do get what it means to be City – maybe that’s why it was so easy for us to fall for you.
It breaks our hearts, but if you really must go, then we won’t stop you. After four seasons you must be tired of the squad rotation, Pep’s over-thinking in Europe and winning the league every year (it’ll never get boring for us). If you want a new challenge, a chance to experience something new, then we won’t be angry.
But please, Bernardo, just consider staying. No one will ever love you quite like we do.
All our love,
City x
Do you want Bernardo Silva to stay at City? Follow our new City Fan Brands Writer Alex Brotherton on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
