Manchester City fans have learned that Ederson is now set for a spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury – but there are a few reasons why supporters need not be too worried.
The Brazilian was forced off in Sunday’s big game with Liverpool at Anfield, after he took out Darwin Nunez.
Nathan Ake played a pass that was too short, which allowed Nunez to get there first. Ederson clattered the Uruguay international, leading to a penalty being given and scored by Alexis Mac Allister.
It was rash from Ederson, but a poor ball to him from Ake.
Ederson remained on for a few minutes before he had to go off, and it has since transpired that he faces around four weeks out.
On the face of it, it’s a big blow for City. But in Stefan Ortega, City have a solid deputy…
Man City fans should have faith in Stefan Ortega as Ederson begins recovery from injury
The sight of Ederson trudging off at Anfield was a big concern.
Since Pep Guardiola has been the manager of City, Edersn has been an absolutely crucial player.
He isn’t just a goalkeeper. He is the builder from the back, and someone who is integral to the City way with the way he can play the ball.
Ederson – described by City youngster Jack Wint as ‘phenomenal’ – has regularly amazed fans with his passing range and composure in possession, and it is rare that he does not play.
But he’s set for a short spell out now, and it’s time for City fans to get more of a look at Stefan Ortega – who did fantastically well when he came on against Liverpool, with Nicky Weaver branding him ‘terrific’.
Ortega, a free signing from Arminia Bielefeld in the summer of 2022, has only made 24 appearances for City since he joined. But fans need not be worried about Ederson’s injury, because the German is a solid deputy.
He’s kept 12 clean sheets across those 24 appearances, and conceded just 18 goals.
Ortega has only made three Premier League appearances this season, but he has recorded a higher save percentage than Ederson (75% to 69.4%, via fbref).
Obviously, Ederson is known for his passing, but Ortega can certainly hold his own when it comes to this. In the league, Ortega has 100% completion rate for short passes so far, and 95.5% on medium-length passes. Ederson has 99.5% and then 97.9%.
Where £35 million man Ederson does comfortably beat Ortega though is in the long passing. The Brazilian has 63.6%, compared to Ortega’s 38.8%. So their total completion rates are Ederson on 86.8% and Ortega with 70.5%. So there is a drop-off, but it’s not absolutely huge.
Ortega tends to be a bit slower on the ball than the Etihad number one, but the German has proven over his 24 appearances for the club that he is a very solid goalkeeper in his own right, and fans ought to have a good level of confidence in him in the coming weeks.
He has the trust of the players, with John Stones hailing him as an ‘incredible ‘keeper’, and hopefully he will now come to the fore with Ederson on the sidelines.
