Guardiola: Vital to have two top keepers | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola says having a world class keeper – plus one who can come in and seamlessly take over when needed – is vital for his team.

Ederson has been crucial to City’s success and playing style since he joined the Club in 2017, clocking up 332 appearances so far and winning 16 trophies along the way.

But the Brazilian has been unfortunate with injuries this season, and was again in the 2-0 win over Spurs in midweek where he suffered a small fracture of the eye socket.

When he has been unavailable, Stefan Ortega Moreno has stepped in and performed superbly.

The Blues’ boss says the situation has underlined the need for two excellent goalkeepers - this season more than ever,

“People talk about the incredible save from Stefan (against Son) many times and it was,” said Guardiola.

“But Eddie has done it before with Son and the same action and saved it. Do you know the reason why we won the Champions League last season? It was Ederson.

“He made an incredible save against Madrid from the header from Benzema. In the final of the Champions League, he was the key player and the key to win.

“We cannot define this period without Eddie. It is impossible. It’s been a strange season for him - four setbacks, four times injured - a keeper four times, with incredible knocks, I’ve never seen that.

“Today in modern football you need two proper, proper keepers. Before it was clear the first keeper and the second keeper, the distance was so big.

“And of course everybody knows, the team knows, they both know that Ederson is the first keeper, but the distance is not. Because you need it.

“There are a lot of games, you have injuries, and you have to have the second good, good keeper like you have four central defenders top-class.

“You have to have two or three very good keepers otherwise when the distance is too big the team cannot compete.”

And Pep also affirmed his belief that Premier League Player of the Season Phil Foden can get even better.

He believes the City playmaker has shown flashes of his genius in previous seasons, but that he is doing it regularly now and by tweaking small parts of his game he can improve even more.

“Obviously he has made a step forward as a football player in terms of minutes and in being decisive in winning games,” said the boss.

“Maybe before it was a glimpse of action, but now he’s consistent. That is the truth. But still he has a margin.

“Sometimes his game is excited, and you have to be more calm because of the excitement he has. It’s a question of time.

“But he has been really, really important.

“I have a feeling he can be better. He can do it because as I said many times he loves football, he enjoys to be on the pitch, and I have the feeling he doesn’t like it when we have a day off.

“He likes to be in training sessions. He still can be better.”

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Guardiola was also asked to look ahead to next season and share his thoughts on players who may move on or possibly arrive.

“Next season? I don’t know about next season. We have to see how we finish,” he said.

“Sometimes the decision depends on how we finish the season. The players have done a good season already. Nothing will change that, but we have to wait.

“Now I’m not thinking one second about next season. Because it’s West Ham, four players up front who can create something.

“Kudus is an exceptional player. Bowen for many years and Antonio, when he’s fit, is unbelievable. Paqueta is a top-class player in that he can do many things.

“That’s why. All four from nothing they can do something unique and special. That is my only concern right now.

“Next season will be next season.”

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