Redaction Simon Brett with Srinivas Sadhanand
Published on 2024-02-07 15:00:00
In a recent discussion on the best foreign players in the Premier League, Paul Merson made the bold claim that Bernardo Silva is the modern-day version of the legendary Gianfranco Zola.
The Italian maestro is widely regarded as one of the most entertaining players to ever grace the English football scene with his silky skills and technical prowess during his time at Chelsea from 1996 to 2003.
Despite Chelsea not being a powerhouse during his time there, Zola managed to cause havoc for his opponents as he mesmerized fans with his performances.
“A bit like a Silva, a bit like a Silva, Bernardo Silva but Silva plays sort of out wide. [Gianfranco] Zola was sort of in the thick of it”, he said on Football’s Greatest.
“But that kind of player, you know, not the lightning quickest player in the world but very clever upstairs and great movement, low centre of gravity. I keep on going back to that, it’s so important. You look at people like [Lionel] Messi and people like that, they have that where they can just go past big players.”
“And I would probably say Silva, similar to that but he’s playing on the right at the moment.”
Merson’s comparison of Bernardo Silva to Zola is high praise indeed. He described Silva as similar to Zola but currently playing as a right-winger, and pointed out that both players shared a low center of gravity, clever movement, and an ability to outmaneuver towering defenders.
Bernardo Silva will undoubtedly be flattered by the comparison to a player of Zola’s caliber, and it further emphasizes the Portuguese player’s quality.
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was also full of praise for Zola, hailing him as a “fantastic player” with “beautiful balance”.
Zola’s brilliance on and off the ball often left opposition players and managers in awe, as they struggled to contain his exceptional talent.
Silva has showcased his exceptional skills since his time at AS Monaco, and at Manchester City, he has consistently performed at a level that cements his status as one of the Premier League’s best.
Players who have faced Silva on the field would likely attest to the difficulty of containing his abilities. In short, the comparison to Zola is a testament to Silva’s status and indicates his potential to become a Premier League legend in his own right.
Overall, Merson’s comparison highlights the exceptional talent possessed by Bernardo Silva, and how he has already made a significant impact in his career.
Bernardo Silva has illustrated his skills and potential to be regarded in the same breath as a legend like Gianfranco Zola, which speaks volumes about his talent and his future prospects in football.
Read Original article on Manchester City News
