Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes Bernardo Silva is one of the best footballers he has coached in his distinguished managerial career.

“Bernardo is a football player,” Guardiola said.

“What does it mean? He will play everywhere, every position, even left back, everywhere because he understands the game in every action Bernardo has the ability to read the game.

“But Bernardo is such an important player, especially in these type of games, he can play holding midfield, he can play false nine. We need this type of player. And lately he has scored a lot of goals. Always he lacked that a little bit.

“He is a player if you say play in this position, you don’t have to say anything else, he understands everything. Understands everything. From my point of view, I was lucky as a manager to have incredible, outstanding players at Barcelona and Munich.

“He is one of the best players I ever trained in my life. Ever. He is something special, a special football player.”