Alfredo Magni, Gianluigi Donnarumma’s former goalkeeper coach, believes everything everyone is saying about the 26-year-old is wrong after signing for Manchester City.
Donnarumma joined Man City on deadline day as part of a £30m deal with Paris Saint-Germain, with the Italian international replacing Ederson at the Premier League giants after the Brazilian decided to start a new chapter in his career in Turkey with Fenerbahce.
Since the goalkeeper arrived at the Etihad Stadium this week, many have questioned Man City’s decision to sign Donnarumma, as the former PSG star is not good enough with the ball at his feet, while he is also weak at claiming crosses, which is a problem in the Premier League.
The Italian star’s former goalkeeper coach has now stated that these people are wrong about the former AC Milan star, and that there is a reason Pep Guardiola wanted him in Manchester.
Alfredo Magni defends Gianluigi Donnarumma’s ball-playing skills
Magni was a former goalkeeper coach at AC Milan between December 2014 and June 2018, and therefore got the rare opportunity to see Donnarumma play at a young age and was tasked with helping the Italian develop.
Speaking to La Gazetta dello Sport, the Italian coach cannot understand PSG’s decision to let Donnarumma go this summer after playing a huge role in their success last season and has played down the talk that the 26-year-old is not good with the ball at his feet.
“The thing that leaves me amazed is Donnarumma has the aptitude to play that type of game [build-up from the back], and the fact [Pep] Guardiola wants him confirms the thesis, doesn’t it?” Magni said about the new Man City star.
Man City were aware that Donnarumma’s ball-playing skills were not the strongest when signing him, but the Premier League club believe that everything else is at such a high level that signing the goalkeeper was an opportunity that could not be missed.
Only time will tell who is right when it comes to the signing of Donnarumma, but there should be no doubting that the Champions League winner is one of the best at what he does.
- READ MORE: Why James Trafford was right to pick Man City over Newcastle despite Gianluigi Donnarumma signing
There will be big pressure on Gianluigi Donnarumma vs Man United
Donnarumma is expected to make his Man City debut after the international break, with the Italian facing a baptism of fire, as his first match will be the Manchester derby against Man United.
Claudio Bravo faced the same problem when he joined Man City in 2016, and the Chilean’s debut against the Red Devils was a disaster, as the goalkeeper made several mistakes and could have arguably been sent off.
With all this talk around Donnarumma not being good enough with the ball at his feet, the 26-year-old cannot afford to make a similar mistake against Man United to James Trafford’s error against Tottenham.
If that happens, there will undoubtedly be a media pile-on, which would not be the best way for Donnarumma to kick off his career at the Etihad Stadium.
