Pep Guardiola could only lead Manchester City to a third-place finish in the Premier League last season but the Citizens certainly look like title contenders now after a summer of heavy spending.Guardiola has spent more than £200 million on just six players, improving at full-back and signing another creative outlet in Bernardo Silva from AS Monaco.Indeed, former Wales midfielder Robbie Savage believes City will prove tough to beat in the upcoming title battle.“Pep Guardiola finished his debut season in English football empty-handed, but there’s no way he will draw another blank,” Savage wrote for the Mirror.“City led the charge of big spenders in the close season, shelling out nearly £100m on a pair of full-backs alone, and they will take some stopping.”City conducted their business early, completing a £43m deal for Silva on May 26, and the Portuguese star adds to an attacking group that has an abundance of talent.
Silva spoke to Ronaldo and Nani
The 22-year-old, the only Portuguese player in City’s squad, has revealed that he sought advice from compatriots Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Nani before making the switch from Ligue 1.
Despite Ronaldo and Nani’s allegiances to City’s rivals, both encouraged Silva to complete the move to the Etihad Stadium.
“Cristiano and Nani both told me that Manchester is a great city,” Silva said, per the Mirror.
“Of course, they played for United, but they said that both clubs are amazing and that I would enjoy the Premier League because it’s the best league, the stadiums are always full, and the people love football. They lived outside the centre, while I am staying in the city.
“But they said it was a great place to live, with nice people, and that I would enjoy it.”
Silva was told that he wouldn’t like Manchester but the only problem he’s had has been the British weather.
He continued: “Before I arrived everyone was telling me, ‘Oh, Manchester is so bad, you won’t like it’.
“But since I arrived I have realised that the city is great and that the people are really nice.
“The only thing is the weather. That has been a little bit of a shock, but the city is great – and so are the people. I like it a lot.”
Ronaldo won three Premier League titles and the Champions League during his six years at Man United.
No doubt Man City fans would love Silva to be as successful.