Nine years ago, Pep Guardiola began reshaping perceptions around goalkeeping in the Premier League. Back then, Joe Hart was Manchester City’s number one, but his inability to play effectively with his feet led to his departure. Guardiola’s earlier experiences at Barcelona and Bayern Munich guided this transformation. It’s remarkable to think that when he first arrived at the Etihad, he envisioned a defense supported by four center-backs or an attack governed by the principle that whenever Erling Haaland wasn’t in the spotlight, everyone else should be asking, ‘where’s Haaland?’
Guardiola’s commitment to innovation makes him one of the greatest managers of all time. Yet, his recent focus has brought him back to a fundamental choice: who stands between the posts. After seasons where success sometimes came despite Ederson’s inconsistencies, City is rethinking its goalkeeping strategy. Ederson, arguably the best ball-playing goalkeeper of this generation, is moving to Galatasaray, while City is bringing in some of last season’s best shot-stoppers.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, currently nearing a transfer to City after he resolved a contract dispute with Paris Saint-Germain, has been a top performer in net for some time. Despite a shaky start last season, he regained form just in time for key matches in the Champions League, where he played a crucial role in preventing goals against teams like Arsenal. Statistically, he has consistently allowed fewer goals than expected.
However, Donnarumma’s struggles with distribution raise questions. Though highly skilled as a shot-stopper, he has shown vulnerability under pressure, most notably in the 2022 Champions League, where a simple mistake allowed Real Madrid to regain a crucial advantage. The number of touches he receives per 90 minutes is considerably lower than that of Ederson, something Guardiola will have to work on to adapt Donnarumma to this possession-focused approach.
James Trafford, returning to City following a impressive loan spell at Burnley, might feel overshadowed by the addition of the Italian international. After a standout Championship season, his aspirations to take the number one jersey could now be in jeopardy. While City is prioritizing acquiring adept shot-stoppers, they should keep in mind the unique style Guardiola desires.
Overall, this shift towards prioritizing shot-stoppers signals a broader change in Guardiola’s strategy. The team’s transition towards a more open style, moving away from control-driven tactics, suggests they will need a trustworthy keeper to handle increased goal-scoring opportunities for opponents. Nevertheless, Guardiola’s history implies he may always favor control; if that’s the foundation they adopt, City could be risking a misstep in their goalkeeping choice.
