ED & SHOULDERS ABOVE THE REST

Guardiola says his keeper can be world’s No.1

PEP GUARDIOLA claims Manchester City No.1 Ederson is already one of the world’s best goalkeepers. Ederson solved City’s longrunning problems in goal overnight when he arrived from Benfica and the outstanding Brazilian has kept 15 clean sheets in his 32 appearances. He made two world-class saves against Burnley last Saturday and Guardiola is impressed most by his coolness. “He’s one of the top ones,” said the City boss. “At that age, he has a desire to improve and in the next years he will become an extraordinary goalkeeper.

“The most important thing from my point of view, is he is so calm.

“When he concedes a goal, he is quiet. When he makes an extraordinary save, he is quiet.

“His reaction is the same, he’s stable. He’s still only 24 and he has to improve a lot of things. He’s already for me one of the best in the world and he will become stronger. “We are so happy with Ederson.” Guardiola also praised Kevin De Bruyne for showing graft as well as craft and City’s marathon man is top of their running charts, having clocked up a staggering 288 kilometres this season.

The Etihad chief says the Belgium playmaker is a great example to everyone at the club because of his hard work.

“I don’t have words to express my gratitude first of all as his manager,” said the Catalan.

“My example is my words, but the players’ examples are the facts, and one of the best players we have is the guy who runs the most and fights the most.

“He’s an incredible example for the rest of the players, for the Academy and for the guys.

“He’s one of the most talented players I’ve ever seen in my life and without the ball, he makes the kind of intensity we have.”