Manchester City is saying goodbye to Ederson after 8 incredible years.
The Brazilian goalkeeper has been a part of 6 Premier League titles, 3 Premier League Golden Gloves, 1 UEFA Champions League, and even a FIFA The Best Goalkeeper award.
Ederson was a master at playing out from the back, a skill crucial for Pep Guardiola’s tactics.
He’s arguably the best ball-playing goalkeeper in the world during his time at City.
But despite his brilliance with the ball at his feet – he has 7 Premier League assists, the most by a goalkeeper in the league’s history – Ederson has one glaring weakness. His shot-stopping isn’t on par with other top goalkeepers.
Last season, Ederson ranked 20th for saves made and 19th for saves per game in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola seems to have had enough of this weakness, especially after Ederson’s struggles in big tournaments like the FIFA Club World Cup.
It looks like Pep is making a bold move, bringing in Gianluigi Donnarumma, a top shot-stopper with insane save-making abilities.
Donnarumma led PSG to a Champions League trophy and has a great record in penalty shootouts.
Donnarumma is just 26, in his prime, and available for less than his market value due to a falling-out with PSG.
To make this deal happen, Ederson had to go.
Now the question is, will Manchester City miss Ederson’s ball-playing skills?
Or did Pep make the right choice in prioritizing shot-stopping with Donnarumma?
It’s possible Pep’s planning a shift in tactics, realizing defense wins titles. Donnarumma is arriving..