Bernardo Silva has admitted he would dread a World Cup showdown with his Manchester City pals in the England team - with the Portugal star in constant contact with Jack Grealish out in Qatar.
Grealish and Silva could face each other in the final four of the World Cup in Qatar, with Portugal needing to get past Morocco and England having to overcome France.
The game would be a special clash for the pair given they play together at City, who Grealish joined in 2021 for £100million, and share a close relationship off the pitch.
Grealish has shown flashes of brilliance at City but he has struggled as well. Silva, however, is convinced the 27-year-old will come good.
“I love Jack a lot as well, he’s a great guy,” said Silva. “The first season is never easy. It wasn’t easy for me.
“When I arrived I didn’t play much and people that play at other clubs think one day if I play for Man City I’ll score 20 goals, get 30 assists... it doesn’t work like that.
“The way Jack works for the team, the way he attracts players to then create spaces for other players, he’s been helping us a lot, he’s improving a lot and I think he’s going to be great for Man City over the next few years.”
Asked about a possible semi-final with England, Silva said: “It would be tough, to be honest, but there’s France as well. I wish the Man City lads all the best. I honestly don’t want to play against them.”
An England versus Portugal semi-final could see plenty of Manchester City players in action. England have five City players in their ranks, while Portugal have three in their squad.
“I keep sending messages to Jack,” said Silva. “The other game he was brought in and I was filming, and I said to Ruben [Dias] how many fouls do you think Jack going to get in this game in 25 minutes? Ruben said nine, I said seven. I was closer, he didn’t get that much.
“But I’m happy for Jack, for Phil as well and the Man City players because they’re doing quite well for England.”
