Pep Guardiola cannot hold back his ‘delight’ at one Manchester City star being ‘still with us’ | OneFootball

Despite continuous talk surrounding his future at the Etihad Stadium, Ederson remains Manchester City’s goalkeeper for the time being, leaving Pep Guardiola delighted.

The Brazilian international has long been connected to transfer speculation particularly centred around a potential move to the Saudi Pro League, first emerging last summer and dragging through to the ongoing market.

Such has been the belief that interest could re-emerge from the Middle-East, Manchester City are believed to have lined up potential successors to Ederson in their number one choice goalkeeping position, including FC Porto’s Diogo Costa.

However, this week has welcomed a significant twist in the tale as the 31-year-old himself openly admitted to wanting to stay at the Etihad Stadium into the forthcoming season – in what will currently be his final year of contract with the club.

And speaking to reporters during his latest press conference activities, manager Pep Guardiola was also keen to discuss the impact of Ederson as City’s long-standing number one choice goalkeeper, and his delight at the Brazilian remaining at the club for now.

“So, I don’t know,” Guardiola initially responded when quizzed on the Brazil international’s future beyond the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup.

He continued, “What I can say is I am so pleased. I’m delighted. What I am seeing in the training sessions, I’m delighted that Eddie is still with us.

“So we cannot define what we have done in this incredible and spectacular decade all together without him! His contribution has been massive in many, many aspects and I’m really pleased!”

It remains to be seen whether Marcus Bettinelli’s arrival as the club’s new third-choice goalkeeper and Ederson’s public admission to staying with the side marks the end of any activity in the role this summer.

Aside from the first and third choice roles, Stefan Ortega Moreno’s future has also been hanging in the balance for some time now, largely stemming from his own desire to take on a lead role in one of Europe’s top clubs.

With Ederson remaining at the club for the oncoming campaign, those chances are likely to remain slim for the German shot-stopper, and it will be fascinating to see whether any club would be wanting to take advantage of his situation at the Etihad Stadium.