Pep Guardiola has reiterated that Ederson is his preferred goalkeeper choice, even though he was a substitute in the team’s recent two games.
The goalkeeper from Brazil was sidelined due to an injury he picked up in the intense 1-1 stalemate with Liverpool at Anfield last month.
- Xavi ‘to stay at Barcelona’ in shock U-turn but club must agree on his two requests
- Virgil van Dijk takes dig at his team-mate after shock Atalanta defeat
- Pochettino ‘frustrated’ with two Chelsea stars as dressing room ‘leak’ reveals inside info
Although Ederson was absent for the matches against Newcastle, Arsenal, and Aston Villa, he recovered sufficiently to be named on the bench for the win over Crystal Palace last weekend and the Champions League tie with Real Madrid midweek.
Stefan Ortega has stepped up admirably in Ederson’s absence, yet Guardiola maintains that Ederson retains the position of his primary goalkeeper.
‘No, [Ederson] is the first choice,’ said Guardiola ahead of tomorrow’s game against Luton.
‘He was ready to play against Madrid and [will be] tomorrow, and the next game. We make the decision for many reasons.’
With a win against the Hatters, City has the chance to climb to the top of the league standings, at least for a while, as Arsenal and Liverpool are scheduled to play on Sunday.
Guardiola faces uncertainty regarding the condition of several crucial players, such as Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, and Nathan Ake, whose fitness is in question.
‘We’re training this afternoon and then we’ll know better how they feel,’ said Guardiola, who was willing to give little away at his pre-match press conference.
It is yet to be determined if the City manager will honor Rodri’s request to rest, as the key midfielder believes he has been overworked.
‘Take a look at our games and you realise,’ said Guardiola. ‘It is simple. He is so important for the quality he gives us. But if you have a player that doesn’t want to play, he won’t play.
‘I need to rest the centre-halves also but in [England’s] friendly games, [John Stones and Kyle Walker] got injured so they get cannot rest. We are in big, big trouble.
‘I had the feeling we were tired in the last games. We will decide tomorrow what we have to do.’
