The future of Manchester City’s three goalkeepers this summer

As the summer transfer window wraps up its first week of action in 2024, Manchester City supporters continue to wait for the club to step up their own business publicly.

With the futures of several of Pep Guardiola’s first-team squads still up in the air, there is still plenty of work to be done while a large number of players continue their duties on the pitch through the European Championships and Copa America.

But what should the club do this summer regarding the players’ futures as a new season fast approaches and the demands of Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City squad remain as high as ever?

In a four-part series on CityXtra.co.ukwe’ll take you through our thoughts on whether Manchester City should Keep OR Sell every member of Pep Guardiola’s squad, starting with the trio of goalkeepers between the Etihad Stadium posts.

Each of City’s goalkeeping contingents have already faced various concerns over their immediate futures at the football club, but recent developments have settled on certain players, with doubts remaining over a number.

Here are our thoughts on whether Manchester City should Keep OR Sell each of their goalkeepers!

Ederson

The Brazilian has been nothing short of transformative since he first arrived at Manchester City in the summer of 2017, changing the way goalkeepers are perceived in English football and executing Pep Guardiola’s vision of training from the back to perfection.

The arrival of Stefan Ortega in a back-up role in 2022 has also worked wonders, ensuring the Premier League champions have two excellent stoppers, while underscoring the need for Ederson to improve his own traditional goalkeeper in the process.

And in our view, the 30-year-old has managed to do just that, with the last two seasons showing a newfound excellence from Ederson when facing shots on goal, including excellent moments in big games like the UEFA Champions League . final.

The Brazil international has been the subject of strong interest from the ambitious Saudi Pro League this summer, who could look to capitalize on the player’s desire for a new challenge away from the Etihad Stadium.

But regardless of Stefan Ortega’s strengths as a traditional shot-stopper alongside his competent ability on the ball, we feel that Ederson is largely irreplaceable in his own right and by the standards he sets in this system Manchester City.

Verdict: KEEP

Prediction: While there have been some suggestions that those close to Ederson believe he is likely to take up the opportunity to play in Saudi Arabia, we believe City’s own overtures to renew and improve his contract will prove too good to turn down in this stage. his career.

Stefan Ortega Moreno

As last season drew to a close, Stefan Ortega’s performances improved week by week and while Ederson succumbed to the odd injury in some competitions, the German relished the opportunity to ensure that the challenge at City’s Premier League title will not collapse.

However, at the time, the German had just one year left on his contract at the Etihad Stadium, and with the player firmly intent on establishing himself as the number one choice in a top European team, there was much concern that a club might take advantage of that.

Bayern Munich, Nottingham Forest and clubs in Saudi Arabia have all made approaches for Stefan Ortega in recent seasons, but for the German giants, that pursuit was ultimately blocked by Pep Guardiola.

Fortunately for the vast majority of Manchester City fans, Ortega has since signed a one-year contract extension at the Etihad at the end of last season, keeping him in Sky Blue until the summer of 2026.

The question many supporters are now asking is whether the club’s coaches will show their faith in Ortega to become the club’s new number one should Ederson leave the organization in the coming weeks and months.

Verdict: KEEP

Prediction: Given the player’s desire to sign a new contract with Manchester City despite expected advances from Europe’s top clubs, the obvious prediction to make would be for Ortega to stay at the club and fight for the top spot next season.

Scott Carson

A mainstay in the Manchester City dressing room for several seasons, Scott Carson is understood to have been instrumental in maintaining a strong link between the first team stars as well as the goalkeeping contingent.

Despite only making a handful of competitive appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side, Carson himself will know he is in the best possible place at this stage of his career, while feeling he has plenty to offer in terms of the experience.

Manchester City’s other two goalkeepers and manager Pep Guardiola are only too keen to praise the 38-year-old’s impact on the Etihad Stadium side’s roster, and this was recognized by his latest contract extension until the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

Verdict: KEEP

Prediction: Having just signed a one-year contract extension to keep him at Manchester City until the end of next season, there’s no doubt where his future lies…unless Saudi Arabia comes calling with a mega-cash offer, may be? You can’t rule anything out these days!