Stuart Pearce has explained what he really likes about Ederson other than his risky tricks on the ball.
Manchester City take on Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon as they return to Premier League action aiming to get back to winning ways after last weekend’s gruelling draw with Arsenal.
It’s been another physical encounter, with Erling Haaland picking up a nasty blow to his Achilles, but the Blues are leading at the break through Josko Gvardiol’s finely taken goal.
However, the Croatian wasn’t the only one to unexpectedly pull some tricks out of the bag, as Ederson once again had everyone on the edge of their seats with an audacious backheel.
With forwards closing him down, the goalkeeper turned his back to the ball and flicked it towards a teammate and away from danger.
It was a move that left the commentators stunned and Pep Guardiola looking as though he’d had a heart attack but fans loved the skill.
While City great Stuart Pearce appreciated the move, he admits he prefers a simpler skill of Ederson’s.
Stuart Pearce loves Ederson’s kicking ability
Speaking on TalkSport at 12:54 pm on Saturday, Pearce said on Ederson: “What I like about him is he pulls off a trick to get himself out of a tight situation, which is fine.
“The thing I like about him if a long pass is on, he will play it.”
Ederson has it all
Is there anything player who has all the ability to do the skilful and jaw-dropping but knows sometimes the simple thing is the best thing?
Ederson might be the biggest risk-taking goalkeeper in the history of the Premier League, with only the likes of those who actually take free-kicks and penalties in-game having him beat on the world stage.
The margin for error on the Brazilian’s backheel was minuscule. The risk of miskicking the ball and Newcastle going through and tapping into an empty net probably even isn’t worth the award.
Yet, it’s moments of great, daring skill that we watch the game for.
Besides, when there is a long ball on Haaland to run through and tuck the ball away, as Pearce says, he will take it.
However, it wasn’t all good for Ederson as he later went on to give away a penalty.
