We are lucky to him him – Pep Guardiola feels lucky to have Brazilian goalkeeper  Emerson at Man City 

We are lucky to him him – Pep Guardiola feels lucky to have Brazilian goalkeeper  Emerson at Man City

Pep Guardiola feels lucky to have Ederson in goal after fearing the Brazilian could leave Manchester City over the summer.

 

The City number one was the subject of interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia but no offers were received that matched the champions’ valuation of the player.

 

Ederson, whose titles with City include six Premier League wins and a Champions League triumph, proved his enduring worth with a fine performance in Saturday’s hard-fought win over Fulham.

 

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson embraces manager Pep Guardiola after a game

Pep Guardiola, right, feared Ederson, left, could leave Manchester City in the summer (Adam Davy/PA)

Asked if he had been worried about losing Ederson, City manager Guardiola said: “Yes of course. He’s an important figure with our team.

 

“Of course at the end it didn’t happen. We are lucky to have him. Hopefully, he’s happy.

 

“He knew from day one I didn’t want it, we didn’t want it.

 

“The truth is the offer didn’t come – the real offer, because they made an offer, but for the keeper of the team who won four Premier Leagues in a row, they have a value, a price. Otherwise, he cannot leave.

 

“If the offer (had come) maybe he would not be here. This is the truth.

 

 

“Ederson is so strong. It can be an idea (to leave) but after, when they change their mind, in one second they say, ‘OK, I’m here, I’m going to do my best’.”

 

Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega gestures to a team-mate during a match, pointing upwards

Stefan Ortega has proved to be a fine understudy to Ederson (Martin Rickett/PA)

Having decided England international Joe Hart did not fit his style of play, Guardiola brought in Claudio Bravo but the Chilean failed to impress.

 

The City boss feels goalkeeping resources are stronger now and, should Ederson decide to move on, he has an ideal replacement in back-up Stefan Ortega.

 

 

Guardiola said: “The success we’ve had, without Eddie I cannot visualise. He’s made truly incredible saves.

 

“But we would have moved forward. I think Stefan is, for me, one of the best players I’ve ever seen one against one. It’s kind of hard to choose.

 

“I always had the feeling that Stefan is an exceptional player.

 

“Ederson is an important player but he has to have the feeling that he has to perform well.

 

“This healthy competition they have – they respect (each other) and they have an incredible relationship – makes our team better.”

 

 

 

Liverpool’s triumph over Crystal Palace extended their winning streak to six games in all competitions, but it came at a price as goalkeeper Alisson was forced off with an injury. Diogo Jota’s first-half goal gave the early Premier League leaders the lead.

 

 

 

The Portugal forward took advantage of some shoddy defending to turn in a cross from Cody Gakpo. However, as they got closer to winning three points, Alisson seemed to injure his hamstring while clearing a ball, and the Czech custodian made his debut when Vitezslav Jaros filled in for the final ten minutes.

 

 

Crystal Palace has already suffered four losses in the Premier League, whereas Liverpool has only lost once in seven games. Liverpool is the only team yet to concede a first-half goal this season after keeping a clean sheet at Crystal Palace today.

 

 

 

It is now 6 wins in 7 Premier League games for Arne Slot as Liverpool manager, after today’s result. On the same note, Liverpool have 13 goals scored, 2 conceded, and are at the top of the Premier League table.