Clock this: Pep Guardiola insists Ederson remains his No.1 goalkeeper at Manchester City but here’s the thing: He admitted that Stefan Ortega could start Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.
Context? Manchester City’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool came with a huge surprise—Ederson Moraes, usually City’s reliable number one, was dropped in favor of Stefan Ortega. The decision came after a series of questionable performances from Ederson, including his involvement in two goals during the 3-3 draw with Feyenoord. Fans and pundits alike were left scratching their heads over this bold move.
The Inside Gist: Ederson, despite being a standout for City this season, was left out for the Liverpool match. Guardiola’s choice to replace him with Ortega raised plenty of eyebrows, especially considering how solid Ederson has been all year. But, there’s more to this decision than just one bad game—Guardiola wanted to send a message about complacency. After all, the Brazilian’s performance against Feyenoord wasn’t his finest, and City’s defense has been shaky all season.
Picture this: Ederson, who has been a key figure for City, didn’t sulk or cause drama when dropped. According to Guardiola, his reaction was “really good”—a clear sign of professionalism. Guardiola went on to say, “We know each other for eight years, nine years.” This speaks volumes about the strong, mature relationship between the two. Ederson’s professionalism was key in taking the decision in stride.
In the past: Ederson has often been City’s savior, making crucial saves despite the defense’s inconsistency. However, in recent weeks, his performances have started to show signs of cracks, especially in the Champions League. It’s a reminder that even the best players can face rough patches—and in this case, Guardiola wasn’t afraid to make a change.
Clock this: Ortega didn’t just sit back and enjoy the opportunity—he seized it. In his first Premier League start, he made five saves, three of which were inside the box, keeping City in the game. His distribution was on point, completing 85% of his passes. Though he did concede a penalty after a challenge on Luis Diaz, which was deemed a foul despite there not being overt contact, Ortega’s performance was solid. Guardiola even praised Ortega’s impact, reflecting that the decision was vindicated in the end.
Keep in mind: Guardiola gave a hint that Ortega could keep his place, saying, “Eddie is number one and Stefan is number two but maybe Stefan continues, we will see tomorrow, in the next days.” So, while Ederson remains City’s number one, Ortega is not just a backup—he’s fighting for more minutes.
The Big Picture: There’s a growing sense that Ortega might just have his shot to become the first-choice keeper at City. Gundogan even called him “the most underrated goalkeeper in the world.” And now, there’s talk that Ortega might consider leaving if he’s not given more playing time. Guardiola’s decision could pave the way for Ortega to prove he’s more than just a second-string goalkeeper.
Clock this: Ederson’s future at City is still secure, but with Ortega performing well and pushing for more opportunities, it’s clear this goalkeeper battle is far from over. Guardiola’s message seems clear: complacency won’t be tolerated, no matter who you are.
