Score or head for the door PEP’S MEN MAKE TOTAL MISS OF IT

Buffon as Italy’s No.1 but sources in Portugal have told the Daily Star Sunday that Benfica are now resigned to losing Brazil Under-23s international Ederson, as he is known, to City.

That follows a series of discussions involving the clubs and Ederson’s representatives.

We revealed two months ago that City were eyeing him.

It is believed the buyout clause in his contract is around £33m which would match, or slightly top, the fee Juventus paid Parma for Buffon 16 years ago.

How City would like to think he could also STEVE MILLAR is simple as that. We were not good enough in the boxes.

“We were there but we were not able to score the goals.

“That has been a big problem for us this season, even in Monaco.

“At the end of that game we had created more chances than them. We scored six goals, of course, but we created more chances than them.

“And in Europe if you are not able to score those goals you are out.

“I remember that happening many, many times. Against Chelsea we were 1-0 up and we had three or four opportunities in front of goal.

“In many games it has been like this for us.

“We have specific qualities in our players to create those chances but we were unable to score goals.

“We have attacking midfield players like Yaya Toure, Fernandinho, David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, the people to create are there. “But after that we don’t score goals. “I don’t know what will happen with 10 games of the season left but I explain what I believe and what I think the season has been. In the boxes we were not good enough.

“We have to improve for next year if we are to compete with the good teams in Europe. I scored 11 goals in my career – that’s one goal a year – so I’m not the guy to show how to improve that.

“Sometimes a guy is good in the air, sometimes a guy is good on the left or the right.

“Some guys are faster or stronger and some just have the ability to score goals. It’s as simple as that.

“When you buy, you buy quality. And when you buy, you buy goals.”

It’s not all doom and gloom for Guardiola, though, with City still in a top-four position, above bitter rivals Manchester United and in the FA Cup semi-finals.

And he is rubbing his hands at the thought of the new kids on the block who he believes are his and the club’s golden future.

Guardiola added: “It’s just a pity that they are so young, just 16, 17.

“In Italy one or two are playing by that age.

“I’ve said many times, though, that four or five will come on the tour to the United States this summer.

“At Manchester City in the 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 age groups we have won a lot of titles and are playing well.

“I’m really pleased how they are all working.”