Bernardo Silva opens up about his situation at Real Madrid – “I want to be useful”

Bernardo Silva opens up about his situation at Real Madrid – “I want to be useful” This international break will see Bernardo Silva taking on an elevated role for the Portuguese national team. Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement, Silva has been appointed as the captain of the pack and he will play a key role in steering the team forward in the coming years. Speaking ahead of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League encounter against Denmark, Silva offered his perspective on his story so far at Real Madrid. Silva wants to feel useful Silva has adopted a deeper midfield role at Real Madrid. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) It is no secret that Silva has had a relatively slow start to life at Real Madrid, notably struggling for game-time in the initial phases. The former Man City star acknowledged that the Real Madrid team is stacked right now, but added he wants to feel useful in the team and that not playing enough always hurts. “It’s always difficult. We all want to play, we all want to be useful. In my career, I have always been used to being useful, to participating. When I don’t participate, it’s obviously tough. “The coach has 27 players, which are many, and only 11 can play at a time. It’s a pretty difficult job, to choose between such a talented team,” he said (h/t Diario AS ). Silva has made only seven starts in La Liga for Real Madrid this season, though he has been more prominent in Jose Mourinho’s plans in recent weeks. “What I can guarantee from me is that I will always give my best and I will always be willing to try to improve and help the team in whatever is necessary, whether it is 5, 10, 30 or 90 minutes. Of course, I want to participate and feel useful,” he added. Silva on playing further back Silva is now the capain of the Portugal team. (Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images) Silva made his name in the game by being an illustrious playmaker who can offer creative spark going forward. At Real Madrid, he has adopted a deeper role, often appearing as the deep-lying playmaker. Talking about his position, Silva said, “Now I don’t know exactly why, but I’m more conservative, more thoughtful, very different than I was 10 years ago. That has led me to other positions, a little further back in the midfield. “But I am always available to try to help the National Team and my club in what the coach deems necessary. The coach will have to answer that question. I think he sees me as an 8, a 10, a link between defense and attack. And not as much as an extreme,” he added. Finally, Silva added what coaches now expect from him, now that he is no longer the dynamic playmaker he once was. “ Therefore, that balance between defense and attack, which makes transitions, which helps with the pressure. The player who does a little bit of everything is what the coach expects of me, ” he concluded.