Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has confirmed his decision on his Manchester City future after he held talks with the club’s manager, Pep Guardiola.
The Brazilian shot-stopper was linked to a transfer exit from the club this summer after seven seasons with the Etihad outfit.
Why Ederson wanted to leave Manchester City
For football enthusiasts, the rumors of Ederson’s imminent exit this summer came more as a surprise. For a player who has spent seven seasons with the biggest and best club in the world, winning trophies and playing as a first-choice goalkeeper, such moves were strange.
However, according to sources close to the Manchester City dressing room, Ederson reportedly felt his place as Manchester City first-choice goalkeeper was under threat, hence his purported decision to find a new challenge elsewhere.
What happened?
In the run-in to the 2023-24 Premier League title race, Ederson was subbed off in Manchester City’s narrow win over Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He was forced off the game following a ghastly eye injury after he crashed with opponent and South American pal Cristian Romero.
His understudy goalie and second-in-command was then handed a chance to keep the sticks for City in the high-octane and title-deciding clash against Spurs.
Manchester City were leading by a lone goal when Ederson was subbed off thanks to Erling Haaland’s 51st-minute opener. Late into the game, Spurs captain and South Korean international Son Heung-min came extremely close to netting the equalizer for the hosts.
He was through on goal and came one-on-one with Stefan Ortega. Ortega, with great composure, pulled an incredibly stunning save to deny Son and preserve City’s narrow lead.
Erling Haaland would then convert a spot-kick to seal the win, but Ortega stole the spotlight for that moment of brilliance against Son, which would have possibly marked the turning point in the game and in City’s race for the Premier League title.
The German goalie earned rave reviews from Pep Guardiola after the heroic display. Ortega would go ahead to keep the sticks for Manchester City in the final matchday win over West Ham, helping the club secure their fourth consecutive and seventh Premier League title.
Meanwhile, sources close to the Manchester City dressing room reveal Ederson was not happy that Ortega is lately acing it and would likely displace him as the club’s first team manager. So, he reportedly pushed for an exit from the club, with a move to Saudi Arabia as an option.
Ederson confirms decision on Man City future
Notably, Ederson subsequently dispelled rumors that he feels threatened by the rave reviews garnered by Ortega in the 2023-24 Premier League run-in.
However, he was strongly linked to a move away from the club this summer. Initially, Pep Guardiola hinted that he doesn’t know whether the Brazilian goalkeeper will stay at the club.
Now the future of the player has been ascertained. In the latest report shared by Fabrizio Romano, the 30-year-old has decided to continue his career with Manchester City next season.
“The decision has been made. I will stay at Manchester City this season.”.
“I spoke to Pep and it was crucial… I’m happy to stay, fully focused on winning more titles here”.
“I also spoke to the board, directors, teammates and I’m staying”, he told @j_castelobranco.
Ederson joined Manchester City from Portuguese side Benfica in 2017. He has been an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City setup, making 250 Premier League appearances, and 83 in other competitions.
He has won the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Community Shield, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup with the club.
What is next for Ederson?
With his future at the club now settled for next season, the Brazilian goalkeeper could be signing a new contract with the club soon.
