Where are they now? The Man City XI from Bernardo Silva's debut in 2017

In the sweltering heat of August 2017, Manchester City traveled to the Amex Stadium to face a newly promoted Brighton & Hove Albion. While the 2-0 victory for Pep Guardiola's side was seen as "business as usual," it marked the beginning of an era. That afternoon, a slight, diminutive Portuguese playmaker named Bernardo Silva stepped onto the pitch for his Premier League debut, replacing Sergio Aguero in the 83rd minute. Fast forward to today, and Bernardo has become the heartbeat of a side that has conquered Europe and achieved a historic Treble.

Bernardo Silva arrived from Monaco for a fee of £43.5 million, part of a massive summer rebuild where Pep Guardiola spent over £200 million to reshape the squad in his image. The XI that started that game against Brighton is a fascinating time capsule of a club in transition. Some players are now icons with statues outside the Etihad Stadium, others have transitioned into management, and a few are still battling at the top of European football.

Join us as we take a deep dive into the starting lineup from that day in 2017 and see where these Manchester City heroes are now.

The Defensive Foundation: A Mix of Legends and Leaders

The 2017/18 season was the year Pep Guardiola finally fixed his defensive woes. He moved away from the aging full-backs of the Pellegrini era and introduced high-octane energy and tactical flexibility. The backline that started in front of the debutant Bernardo Silva featured a blend of veteran leadership and expensive new recruits.

Ederson (Goalkeeper)

On the same day Bernardo made his debut, Ederson also made his Premier League bow. Having arrived from Benfica, the Brazilian was tasked with replacing Claudio Bravo and revolutionizing the role of a "sweeper-keeper." Where is he now? He remains Manchester City's undisputed number one. With multiple Golden Gloves and a Champions League trophy under his belt, Ederson has cemented his status as one of the greatest goalkeepers in Premier League history. His passing range remains the benchmark for modern keepers.

Vincent Kompany (Center-back)

The "Captain, Leader, Legend" of the Etihad. In 2017, Kompany was the veteran presence holding the new-look defense together. Where is he now? After retiring in 2020 following a fairy-tale final season, Kompany moved into management. After a successful stint at Burnley, where he led them to a 101-point promotion season, he made a shock move to German giants Bayern Munich in the summer of 2024. Seeing the Belgian leading one of the world's biggest clubs is a testament to the tactical intelligence he showed under Pep.

John Stones (Center-back)

In 2017, Stones was still finding his feet and dealing with criticism regarding his defensive consistency. Where is he now? He has undergone a total transformation. Often referred to as the "Barnsley Beckenbauer," Stones evolved into a hybrid defender-midfielder who was instrumental in City's 2023 Treble win. He is still a vital part of Guardiola's squad, though he frequently battles with fitness issues.

Nicolas Otamendi (Center-back)

The "General" was a polarizing figure but a warrior on the pitch. He played nearly every minute of the "Centurions" 100-point season. Where is he now? Otamendi left City in 2020 for Benfica. Since then, he has experienced a career renaissance, captaining Benfica to league titles and, most notably, starting every game for Argentina as they won the 2022 FIFA World Cup. At 36, he is still competing at the highest level in Portugal.

The Midfield Engine Room: The Dawn of Total Dominance

The midfield that day featured the "Two Silvas" and the legendary Fernandinho. It was a trio that combined grit, vision, and technical perfection, laying the groundwork for the possession-based football that would eventually break almost every Premier League record.

• Fernandinho: The Brazilian was the glue. While Bernardo was the future, Fernandinho was the present. He eventually left the club in 2022 after nine years. Today, he is back in Brazil playing for his boyhood club, Athletico Paranaense, where he continues to defy age at 39.
• Kevin De Bruyne: Already a star in 2017, KDB was just beginning his journey toward becoming the best midfielder in the world. Where is he now? He is still the creative king of the Etihad. Despite rumors of moves to the Saudi Pro League, De Bruyne remains City's talisman, recently surpassing 100 Premier League goals and chasing the all-time assist record.
• David Silva: "El Mago" was in his prime during Bernardo's debut. Bernardo was often seen as David's long-term successor. Where is he now? David Silva left City in 2020 and enjoyed a brilliant three-year stint at Real Sociedad. Sadly, a serious ACL injury forced him into retirement in 2023. He is currently enjoying life away from the pitch, though he remains a frequent visitor to Manchester.

The tactical fluidity of this midfield allowed City to dominate Brighton with over 78% possession. It was a masterclass in the "Pep-way," and Bernardo Silva, watching from the bench for 80 minutes, would have been taking notes on how David Silva manipulated the half-spaces—a role he would eventually inherit and master himself.

The Attack and the Wing-Backs: Pace and Precision

In that 2017 opener, Guardiola experimented with a 3-5-2 formation, utilizing new signings as wing-backs to stretch the pitch. The strike force was a lethal combination of South American flair that remains etched in City folklore.

Kyle Walker (Right Wing-back)

Like Bernardo, Walker was making his debut that day. He was the most expensive defender in the world at the time. Where is he now? Walker is the current club captain of Manchester City. His recovery pace is still among the best in the world, and he has become one of the most decorated English players of all time. His role in neutralizing players like Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe in the Champions League has made him a modern legend.

Danilo (Left Wing-back)

Another 2017 debutant. Danilo was the versatile utility man who could play anywhere across the backline. Where is he now? After two successful years in Manchester, he moved to Juventus as part of the Joao Cancelo swap deal. He has since become the captain of Juventus and a staple for the Brazilian national team, proving his leadership qualities in Serie A.

Gabriel Jesus (Forward)

The young Brazilian had arrived only six months prior and was seen as the heir to the striking throne. Where is he now? Jesus moved to Arsenal in 2022 to seek a more central role and more consistent minutes. While he has struggled with injuries in London, his impact on Arsenal's title-challenging squads under Mikel Arteta has been significant.

Sergio Aguero (Forward)

City's all-time record goalscorer. He opened the scoring against Brighton that day, assisted by David Silva. Where is he now? Aguero's career came to a heartbreaking end in 2021 due to a heart condition shortly after moving to Barcelona. Today, he is a massive personality in the world of live streaming and esports (KRU Esports). He remains City's most beloved son, with his statue standing tall outside the North Stand.

Bernardo Silva: The Evolution of a Legend

When Bernardo Silva eventually came on for Aguero in the 83rd minute, nobody could have predicted the sheer volume of silverware he would collect. Over the last seven years, the Portuguese international has played in almost every position on the pitch—right wing, "false nine," attacking midfield, and even as a deep-lying playmaker in the Champions League final.

Bernardo's journey from a bench player in 2017 to arguably the first name on the teamsheet in 2024 is a story of work ethic. Known for his tireless running and "glue-like" ball control, he has survived several summer transfer windows where he was linked with moves to Barcelona or PSG. Each time, he stayed, and each time, he became more vital to Pep Guardiola's tactical setup.

"He is one of the best players I have ever seen in my life," Guardiola once said of Bernardo. This sentiment is shared by the City faithful, who have watched him grow from the "new kid from Monaco" to a veteran leader in a squad that has won four consecutive Premier League titles.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Success

Looking back at the XI from August 12, 2017, it is clear that Manchester City's recruitment strategy during that window was the catalyst for the dominance that followed. Out of the 11 players who started that day, only Ederson, John Stones, Kyle Walker, and Kevin De Bruyne remain at the club alongside Bernardo Silva. They are the "Old Guard," the bridge between the team that was trying to find its identity and the team that eventually won the Treble in Istanbul.

Where are they now? They are scattered across the world's biggest leagues, managing top clubs, or enjoying well-earned retirements. But for one afternoon in Brighton, they were the starting pieces of Pep Guardiola's masterpiece. As for Bernardo Silva, he continues to dance through Premier League defenses, proving that while players come and go, class is permanent.

The 2017/18 season ended with City reaching 100 points—the "Centurions." As Bernardo Silva enters the latter stages of his career at the Etihad, his debut stands as a pivotal moment in the history of the Premier League. The "Where are they now?" of this squad isn't just about career paths; it's about the legacy of a group of players who changed English football forever.

Where are they now? The Man City XI from Bernardo Silva's debut in 2017

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