Despite a clatter of unhelpful developments around Manchester City, it had at least looked like a useful couple of days for Bernardo Silva.
The Portugal international, City s player of the year when they won an unprecedented domestic treble in 2018-19, suffered a strangely underwhelming season last time around especially for a player who seems so in tune with Pep Guardiola s vision and demands.
Lionel Messi arriving in Manchester would have probably blocked Bernardo s route back to a place on the right of City s front three. But the six-time Ballon d Or winner announced he would remain at Barcelona against his will.
Among Silva s other rivals for the spot, two men who appeared to usurp him in the pecking order last season. But Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden returned…