Former goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon has claimed Manchester City have a player ‘you don’t find many like’ in football.
Pep Guardiola has many superstars in his squad.
Over the years, a number of brilliant players have come to the Etihad Stadium, and many of those players are now among the best in the world in their positions.
And currently, City have one such player who could be on his way out of the club.
Ederson has been a target for the Saudi Pro League for a few months now. It’s possible that he could be departing in the coming weeks, but Al-Ittihad are yet to match City’s asking price despite the player reportedly agreeing personal terms.
In the eyes of Pantilimon though, City don’t really want to be losing such a unique player.
Costel Pantilimon lauds ‘fantastic’ Ederson as speculation continues over the Man City number one
Ederson joined City back in the summer of 2017, one year after Pep became manager at the Etihad.
Pep had sold Joe Hart and brought in Claudio Bravo, before deciding that his former goalkeeper at Barcelona wasn’t cutting it.
He landed Ederson for around £35 million, and the Brazilian would prove to be one of the most influential signings in the club’s recent history.
But his time at City could be coming to an end, as SPL outfit Al-Ittihad try to lure the South American.
For Pantilimon, who signed for City in 2011 and played 29 games for the club, Ederson’s quality is undeniable and City would have a hard time replacing the 30-year-old.
He told The Mirror (print edition, 28/07, pg. 71): “Ederson is a fantastic goalkeeper. It is always a relief as a defender knowing you can come out and play having someone like that behind you.
“He doesn’t just ‘not panic’ with the ball at his feet, he provides assists for you as well.
“You don’t find many like him – and not only in the Premier League, but around the world.
“What he has achieved, what he has won at the club and the influence he has on the players in that side, has been fantastic.”
Ederson is unique and will be a miss if he goes
Ederson has been an incredible signing for City and has helped totally change the game for City in terms of their playing style.
It is doubtful were would have seen this extraordinary brand of football had he not come in when he did.
His ball-playing ability is second to none, and if he does move on in the coming weeks then it will be a great shame to lose such a unique player.
Stefan Ortega is obviously a great goalkeeper in his own right, and is also a good ball-player. But he is not quite the same standard as Ederson – who denied claims he was unsettled by the reaction to Ortega’s save against Tottenham Hotspur last season – when it comes to that side of the game.
The player cannot be blamed for considering a new challenge after all the success he has had at the club, but it’s just whether Al-Ittihad can offer a fair price.
