Pep Guardiola recaps Ederson’s’reality’ at Manchester City following the departure of Stefan Ortega.
Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has been under fire for his performances this season, much to Pep Guardiola’s chagrin. Pep Guardiola claims Ederson has never been under more pressure for his position at Manchester City, but dismisses criticism of his goalkeeper.
City has defended effectively in the most of their matches this season, but they have developed the costly habit of conceding from the first shot on goal they have faced. While Guardiola attributes this to the incalculables of football, Ederson’s save percentage is currently lower – before the Bournemouth game, his season average was 58% compared to 70% over the previous five years – and the goalkeeper has received criticism from an unexpected number of fans for his performances.
The Brazilian is not primarily in the team to be a shot-stopper because his build-up play is so vital to City’s possession and pressing, but the performances of Stefan Ortega have led some to believe the No.2 should be given more time in the team. Ortega has impressed in all but one of his outings this season, including a Champions League game against Dortmund in which he was chosen over Ederson.
Guardiola was in no mood to doubt Ederson’s ability, pointing to everything the club has accomplished with the goalkeeper. He did, however, remark that Ortega, who will start against Bristol City in the FA Cup, has put him under more strain than any other backup at the club has ever done.
“I don’t have, and we don’t have any doubts about Ederson,” said Guardiola. “How many Golden Gloves?
” The performances he has done over many years to achieve what we have achieved, Ederson is an exceptional keeper. I don’t have any doubts. But the reality now is he has another keeper that pushes him like never before in terms of what he has done so far – not just in our buildup but he is also a typical German keeper, he stays up and has incredible hand movements.
“The way he played in the Carabao Cup, FA Cup so far, even in the Champions League when he played at Dortmund when we were fighting for the first position. He’s an exceptional keeper, but Ederson is a really important figure on and off the pitch in everything we have done.”
