Bernardo Silva was so good in his performance against Bournemouth that Pep Guardiola briefly thought he was watching Lionel Messi.
It was only for a moment, but coming from a manager who has said Messi deserves his own Ballon d'Or every year given his performances are on another level from the rest of the game it is some compliment for Silva to earn. As well as impressing with a jinking run and chipped finish that brought the fifth goal in a 6-1 win for Manchester City, the Portugal international showed his manager that he can take his game to the next level.
Guardiola has long been one of Silva's biggest fans, yet has spoken to the 28-year-old about the need for him to add goals and assists to his performances if he is to add even more to his game. Silva, who finished ninth at the Ballon d'Or awards this week where Messi won, scored twice against Bournemouth in another all-action performance.
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"He made a good shot after a corner, I always push him to score goals," said Guardiola. "The next step in your career, you have to score goals. You are an unbelievable player but you have to win games.
"The action from Jeremy [Doku] was good but he took it really well and the last goal reminded me of Messi - I saw many times Leo in that position did this chip in. He's an extraordinary player."
City are next in action on Tuesday when they resume the defence of their Champions League crown against Young Boys at the Etihad Stadium.
