'He's a joy, I love him': Bernardo fuels City's title triumph

Bernardo Silva emerged as the understated driving force behind Manchester City's Premier League title triumph after the Portugal playmaker finally won over Pep Guardiola.

While the two major player of the year awards in England went to his City teammate Raheem Sterling and Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk, Bernardo has delivered a sublime season that deserves its own recognition.

In a campaign during which City were without the injured Kevin De Bruyne for long periods while David Silva only occasionally reached peak form, it was Bernardo who provided their creative impetus time and again.

It is a remarkable transformation for the diminutive 24-year-old, who has gone from a fringe player last season to one of the first names on the teamsheet for City boss Guardiola.

Bernardo started only 15 Premier League games in his first season as he struggled to convince the manager that he was ready for the physically demanding nature of English football.

But, from the moment he starred in the ...