In 2017, Pep Guardiola had his say on a player who Manchester City have reportedly “approached” to potentially sign this summer.
Guardiola will be hoping that the decision-makers at City match his ambition in the transfer window, as he will be hoping to dominate on all fronts after a season where his side only won the Premier League title.
The £378,846-a-week man has set such high standards during his time at the Etihad Stadium that it seems like winning the league has become a formality for his Sky Blues side at this point.
In the Champions League in particular, Manchester City were perhaps unfortunate not to have gone through to the semi-finals — having only lost on penalties to Real Madrid — a result which would still be spurring Pep Guardiola on to win the trophy for the fourth time in his career.
For a club to win any major trophy, they need a top goalkeeper at their disposal.
What Pep Guardiola said about Man City target Gianluigi Donnarumma in 2017
While Ederson is a world-class goalkeeper, it does not help the club’s case that a revelation on Sunday from Fabrizio Romano claimed that the Manchester City number one remains interested in a move to the Saudi Pro League.
The 30-year-old has spent seven years at the Etihad Stadium and over his time at the club, Ben Foster praised him for transforming the game by emerging as the epitome of the modern-day goalkeeper.
However, City have come forward to try and sign Gianluigi Donnarumma — as per journalist Ben Jacobs — in case the Brazilian international ends his love affair with the English juggernaut.
Pep Guardiola, however, has always been an admirer of Donnarumma, singing his praises in 2017.
Guardiola said via BeSoccer: “[Gianluigi] Donnarruma is a top, top goalkeeper, definitely.”
“He’s big, he has huge skill for 18 years old.”
When asked how Donnarumma would fare in the Premier League, Guardiola replied: “It would depend on him and his teammates whether he played well or not but good players can play anywhere.”
Guardiola would likely prefer Ederson staying than Donnarumma move
If given the choice, one presumes that Pep Guardiola would rather Ederson stayed at Manchester City than to replace him with Donnarumma.
The six-time Premier League winner is arguably the most vital cog behind his setup and it can be argued that no other player understands his demands quite like the maverick goalkeeper.
The former Benfica number one’s distribution is arguably the best in the world; in stark contrast to Donnarumma, who is much more of a traditional goalkeeper.
Furthermore, much like Ederson, the Paris Saint-Germain shotstopper also suffers lapses in concentration.
But the former’s understanding of Guardiola’s system, pedigree, winning experience and leadership qualities is why him staying would be far more advantageous to the City boss as a whole than Donnarumma’s arrival.
