Pep Guardiola has admitted that Bernardo Silva could leave Manchester City, even though he is currently settled at the club.

The former Monaco man was one of several City players said to be unhappy with their playing time last season, but he remained with the club this summer.

This season he has played an important role, featuring in all but one of his side’s Premier League games and scoring the winner against Leicester earlier this month.

Silva also performed well in City’s 1-0 victory over Chelsea on Saturday and Guardiola revealed his delight in his post-match press conference.

„He’s so intuitive – it’s not his role as a holding midfielder but he knows exactly how to play it and how to anticipate what is going to happen, with the ball or without the ball,“ he said (via Sky Sports).

„Against Norwich he played exceptional, against Arsenal he played exceptional, Southampton played at the level of the team – that was not good.

„But how well he played against Chelsea is no surprise. How many times have we seen it? He was an incredible signing for us because he’s an exceptional person.

„I never forget the second Premier League we won, with 98 points, he was the best player in England. He was nominated [for an award] but he was the best. After that season, later he dropped a little bit, he was not in the position he prefers but now he’s back and hopefully he can help us.“

Although Guardiola is clearly pleased with Silva’s contribution this season, he did confess that there is still a chance of him leaving Manchester in the future.

„All I want is for Bernardo to be happy, here or anywhere. All I want is his happiness because he’s a guy that deserves the best,“ he said.

„If, at the end, he wants to leave and decides [to go] the only thing I can say is that the guy or the club that gets Bernardo is going to take one of the best players in the world. Is he happier? You cannot play in this way if you are not happy, it’s impossible.“