Oliver Kay

An exclusive interview with Bernardo Silva as he prepares to say goodbye to Manchester City. 🏆#MCFC memories 🧠 Pep’s genius 💫 Bruno F 💔Jota 🏉 set pieces 🥊 tunnel clash with #MUFC 😒snubbing #LFC 💣 why “it was about time Arsenal began to man up” nytimes.com/athletic/72804…

An exclusive interview with Bernardo Silva as he prepares to say goodbye to Manchester City. 🏆#MCFC memories 🧠 Pep’s genius 💫 Bruno F 💔Jota 🏉 set pieces 🥊 tunnel clash with #MUFC 😒snubbing #LFC 💣 why “it was about time Arsenal began to man up” nytimes.com/athletic/72804…

Even in what I think has been a poor season in terms of individual quality, with so many of the best creative players struggling, I would say Szoboszlai has been miles off Player of the Year standard. One of those seasons when being the best player for the fourth best team really doesn’t count for much

@City_Xtra @PFA @OliverKay Why was Szoboslai not even nominated??

Bernardo Silva on his vote for @PFA Player of the Year: “My friend Bruno [Fernandes]. He’s had an incredible season…” [via @OliverKay]

You’re not allowed to vote for a teammate! PFA rules don’t allow it! It’s not an anti-Arsenal agenda to vote for Bruno Fernandes, just as it doesn’t require pro-Arsenal agenda to vote for Gabriel/Rice. Arsenal wise, I would say Gabriel over Rice, but the split Arsenal vote is *one* of the reasons why I expect Bruno to win it — as with @theofficialfwa award

@City_Xtra @PFA @OliverKay Arsenal agenda aside, that’s so disrespectful to Haaland and Semenyo, the little rat😭😭

Bernardo Silva's vote for PFA Player of the Year: "My friend Bruno (Fernandes). He had an incredible season.” Some Arsenal fans disgusted he didn't vote Gabriel/Rice. Some #MCFC fans unhappy he voted for a #MUFC player ahead of Haaland. Hardly an outrage! NB - you can't vote for a teammate. Even if he had wanted to vote Haaland, he couldn't. Not in the interview, but he said he thought Nico O'Reilly should be a contender for Player of the Year as well as Young Player of the Year. Inclined to agree with that nytimes.com/athletic/72804…

@City_Xtra Thanks very much for including the link to the article. Appreciated. 👍 Enormously frustrating when some accounts on here rip off articles without doing that. #MCFC fans of a certain vintage might enjoy another interview on @TheAthleticFC tomorrow 👀

Bernardo Silva: “Pep [Guardiola] was one of the biggest reasons I stayed. They never allowed me to leave! *laughs* “I’m really happy it didn’t happen because I would’ve missed the treble, four [Premier League titles] in a row, a lot of fantastic things. After we won the #UCL I signed a new deal to stay another three seasons. From then, really, my goal was always to fulfil that contract until the end…” [via @OliverKay] nytimes.com/athletic/72804…

There will be no U-turn, no last-minute change of heart. Bernardo Silva has heard the rumours that he might once more be talked into staying at Manchester City, but this time his mind is set. In an exclusive interview with @OliverKay, Bernardo talks about highlights, crushing disappointments and the pain of losing a close friend; about team-mates, opponents and a “genius” coach, Pep Guardiola, who will be the toughest act to follow when he leaves City; about a tunnel bust-up with Manchester United, giving Liverpool’s champions the cold shoulder and why it was about time Arsenal “began to man up”; about his own game, on-pitch intelligence and why he feels an increased focus on set pieces — and match officials’ struggle to police them — has at times made this Premier League season a turn-off. @BernardoCSilva interview, free to read here: bit.ly/4ui15Fm

What next for Bernardo Silva? nytimes.com/athletic/72804… “Something where I still feel competitive, where I can play at the highest level, which I still want to do, and where my family is happy. I have an idea and my preference, but we’ll see what happens.” Barcelona? “I don’t want to talk about names. I genuinely don’t know where I’m going to be. I told my agent I will speak to him on the 25th, the day after that Aston Villa game. I just really want to enjoy and focus on my last games here. The nine years have been amazing. It would be lovely to finish with a couple more titles. I want to end on a good note.” Much more from Bernardo Silva here #mcfc

■ Switching into dad mode when getting home after games ■ The surprise of a private plane laid on as a treat by the chairman ■ Soundtrack of Oasis, Taylor Swift and Vengaboys in the dressing room ■ Coping with 'the worst feeling I've had' in football Welcome to life as an EFL footballer. Over the past four months, The Athletic has spent time with Millwall captain Jake Cooper and his family - at his home, the evening before a match, at the training ground and on his way to saying his goodbyes the day after missing out on the play-offs. This is what it is like to be pursuing the Premier League dream - and to have it end in heartbreak. 📝 @TBurrows16 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/72727…

PSG are among a number of clubs interested in signing Mateus Fernandes. The midfielder does not have a release clause in his contract, but is expected to be sold this summer, irrespective of which league West Ham will be in next season. #WHUFC nytimes.com/athletic/72754…

Dan Burn interview: I rang mam and said ‘I don’t want to feel like this any more. When does it stop?’ The #NUFC & England defender talks mental health, speaking up, navigating a tough season, Eddie Howe, the World Cup and much more. FREE to read. nytimes.com/athletic/72758…

🚨 Michael Carrick in line for permanent Manchester United head coach job, with recommendation being made by football leaders to executive committee, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Set to pave way for talks on new contract ⬇️ #MUFC nytimes.com/athletic/72433…

Manchester United’s football leaders are set to recommend Michael Carrick be offered the permanent head coach role during an executive committee meeting this week. Full story from @lauriewhitwell — free to read ⬇️ bit.ly/42As8j0

Do Real Madrid players simply do what they want? Carlo Ancelotti doesn't think player power is an issue at the Bernabeu… 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲. 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗹****. Read @AdamCrafton_'s exclusive interview here ⬇️ 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/72684…

🚨 Arsenal defender Ben White expected to miss rest of season with knee ligament injury. 28yo England international suffered suspected MCL damage in #AFC victory at West Ham, although full extent yet to be established. W/ @gunnerblog after @JoshuaharrisonH nytimes.com/athletic/72700…

⚡️Inside Real Madrid ➕Growing disappointment with Mbappe at various levels within the club ➕Talks with Jose Mourinho's camp to continue when the schedule allows it ➕Benfica considering replacement in case Mourinho leaves @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/artic…

Chelsea are exploring a deal to appoint Xabi Alonso as the club’s new head coach. The Spaniard is open to the possibility, but at this stage nothing is decided as the process to hire a permanent successor to Liam Rosenior continues, with outgoing Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola also a strong contender. More from @David_Ornstein nytimes.com/athletic/69645…

How La Masia and Hansi Flick led Barcelona to their second consecutive league title. ◾️ Hansi Flick’s management style and his message: ‘Egos kill success’. ◾️Lamine Yamal taking the reins. ◾️La Masia graduates stepping up. w/ @polballus nytimes.com/athletic/72457…

The booing of Anfield. nytimes.com/athletic/72608…

Monday, so time for @TheAthleticFC Premier League briefing: * the corner-kick grappling that made the West Ham v Arsenal VAR incident a season-defining moment in more ways than one * #AFC champions-in-waiting, #WHUFC Championship-in-waiting * Slot losing Anfield faith nytimes.com/athletic/72687…