Playing time with Real Madrid

Bernardo Silva has played only 15 minutes for Real Madrid and Portugal since September 12, with eight minutes for the club and seven for the national team. This is a sharp drop compared to his previous role at Manchester City, where he played in nearly all matches last season.

Midfield changes at Real Madrid

The reduced involvement of Silva at Real Madrid may be due to the return of Aurélien Tchouaméni and the rise of Eduardo Camavinga, which has changed the midfield dynamics. Silva has played 282 minutes in eight La Liga matches, recording one assist, and has not entered the match against Elche and Villarreal.

Champions League absence

Silva's first appearance in the Champions League is still pending after a suspension against Inter. José Mourinho, who personally advocated for Silva's recruitment, had previously described him as a "great player" capable of filling multiple positions and providing control in midfield.

Reduced role at Real Madrid

However, Silva's role has seemingly diminished to that of a stopgap solution. His eight minutes against Atletico, which included an assist for Antonio Rüdiger, did not significantly alter his status. At Manchester City, Silva played 38 Premier League matches last season, including 34 starts, but recorded only two goals and four assists.

Age and performance questions

At 32 years old, questions have arisen about whether Silva can transform the midfield at Real Madrid. His decline is also evident with Portugal, where coach Jorge Jesus has given him only seven minutes in the last four Nations League matches, following a difficult World Cup.

Speculation about recruitment

Despite his reduced playing time, Silva's technical quality remains notable, and his initial appearances with Real Madrid have not been disastrous. The speculation continues about whether Real Madrid recruited Silva for his current capabilities or for what he represented during his time at Manchester City.