Manchester City’s hopes of defending their Premier League title are all but over, midfielder Bernardo Silva said Thursday, as the reigning champions trail league leaders Liverpool by 14 points.
City, who secured a record fourth consecutive English top-flight title last season, have struggled this campaign and sit sixth in the table after managing just two wins in their last 10 league games.
Injuries have plagued Pep Guardiola’s team, with key players like Ballon d’Or winner Rodri ruled out for the rest of the season and several others sidelined for extended periods.
“Right now, it’s about accepting reality,” Silva told Sky Sports. “I’m not looking at Liverpool. I’m sixth in the league; I cannot be looking at Liverpool or Arsenal. I’m looking at the next game to try and win three points.”
While Silva didn’t completely rule out a comeback, he admitted that the title is effectively beyond City’s reach. “I wouldn’t say it’s impossible because in football there are no impossibles, but right now Manchester City is completely out of the title race. No question about that—it’s too late for us,” he added.
Silva emphasized the harsh reality of the situation: “People say you cannot win the league until January, but you can lose it. This season, the reality is that we have lost it.”
Upcoming Matches
City will host 13th-placed West Ham United in a Premier League clash on Saturday, followed by an FA Cup tie against fourth-tier Salford City on Jan. 11.
