After Manchester City’s defeat to Barcelona on penalties, Pep Guardiola had his say on one of his club’s most pressing concerns this summer.
Ultimately, Guardiola will not be as concerned about his side’s three successive losses in pre-season as he will be about the preparation of his squad ahead of the upcoming 2024/2025 season; whether that is in terms of potential incomings, outgoings or other aspects like the team’s overall fitness and motivation levels.
While having to prepare his City side for their pre-season fixtures, the Catalan tactician will also be keeping a close eye on which players will remain a part of his squad ahead of next season.
Only then will Manchester City be able to plan their plans for the ongoing summer transfer window.
For instance, Ederson Moraes has admitted that his future is up in the air – after being linked with moves to Saudi Arabia throughout the past couple of weeks.
Pep Guardiola makes fresh admission about Man City goalkeeper Ederson
At the start of the month, Fabrizio Romano reported that Stefan Ortega will replace Ederson as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Even if Manchester City are comfortable with that being the case, the Brazilian’s potential exit would remain a massive blow.
The £35 million man has been one of the pillars behind City’s success during Guardiola’s reign, alongside stalwarts like Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker and John Stones to name a few.
Pep Guardiola has admitted with a seemingly heavy heart that he will not stop Ederson if he informs him that he intends to leave Manchester City this summer.
Guardiola told TNT Sports Brazil: “I only hope for him to stay with me, with City. He’s a person I love, who I want. He’s given us so much, he’s a ‘porteirazo’ [a term to describe a great goalkeeper in Spain and Portugal] I hope he gives us a clear answer as soon as possible. If he has to go… With all the pain in the heart, I’ll understand.”
“But he needs to clarify what he wants as soon as possible, because I would like that, and for us to concentrate and arrive well in the season.”
Pep Guardiola is doing the right thing by letting Ederson decide his future
Last Thursday, it was claimed that Ederson’s dream is to join another European club now.
However, judging by the decorated goalkeeper’s admission about his future being undecided, perhaps he remains in two minds about his next career move.
It seems like Pep Guardiola has allowed Ederson to take his time, make his decision and inform him.
Furthermore, Guardiola’s latest admission is an indicator of the fact that he will not force one of his most trusted players to stay at City.
Perhaps the former Benfica number one could appreciate the space and time the Manchester City boss has handed him to make his call; a factor that could lead him to potentially deciding to stay.
Additionally, with how outstanding Ederson has been for City over the years, he deserves the right to decide his future at the very least.
