The signing of Bernardo Silva to Real Madrid, who arrived free from Manchester City, has been marked by an unexpected fall in the white club's squad. The Portuguese, who was expected to be the successor to Kroos and Modric in midfield, has gone from starter to substitute in just a few weeks, and his participation in the season has been reduced to 282 minutes in eight LaLiga games.
Since the beginning of the summer, Real Madrid showed great enthusiasm for the incorporation of Silva. Coach José Mourinho named him a starter on the first day of preseason, but used him in a different position than usual. Instead of occupying the right wing, the player positioned himself as a midfielder, with the intention of generating play from the center of the field. This decision arose in response to Tchouaméni's injury and Mourinho's lack of confidence in Camavinga, who at that time had not demonstrated his quality in the team.
However, Silva's adaptation to the midfield role did not produce the expected impact. The arrival of Arda Güler and the recovery of Tchouaméni have reduced the need to have the Portuguese in the starting lineup. As a result, Silva has been relegated to the bench in several games, and in the match against Villarreal he did not play a single minute. In total, he has participated in six games this season, three as a starter and three as a substitute, adding a total of 282 minutes in the league.
Silva's future at the club is also affected by a pending ban from Manchester City. The penalty, which dates back to the previous season, prevents him from playing in the Champions League against Inter Milan. Coach Mourinho has decided not to give him the opportunity to make his debut in European competition, and the situation remains uncertain ahead of the next match against Roma. The coach's lack of confidence in the player is reflected in Silva's absence from the squad for the continental competition.
In short, the arrival of Bernardo Silva to Real Madrid has been an experience that has not met initial expectations. The player, who was expected to become a key element in the midfield, has been relegated to the bench and his participation in the season has been limited by the presence of other players and a pending sanction. Silva's future at Real Madrid will depend on his performance in the next few games and Mourinho's decision to give him a second chance in the squad.