City stopper has taken tough route to the top
MANCHESTER CITY goalkeeper Ederson has spent his life proving people wrong.
It seems hard to believe anyone could have doubted his ability when you see his commanding displays for Pep Guardiola’s side.
But the Brazilian, 25, has faced a constant battle to make it to the top.
First to doubt him were the academy bosses at Sao Paulo, who left him crushed by discarding him as a teenager.
Second it was his first European club Benfica, who had him between the ages of 16 and 18 and decided he would never make it, despatching him to Ribeirao on a free transfer.
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And then it was his new employers who moved him on again for nothing to Rio Ave, before Benfica saw the error of their ways and bought him back for £450,000.
His switch from there to City came with a then-record transfer fee for a keeper of £35m before the start of last season.
Fortunately for them, him and for boss Guardiola, throughout the rejections and upheaval the South American has stayed resolute.
It is easy to see why Guardiola was attracted to Ederson, given his comfort with the ball at his feet, even if his one-twos with his defenders frequently give the crowd at the Etihad heart attacks.
Ederson smiles when the nerves of fans in the stands are mentioned but assures City supporters the moves are well-practised.
He said: “We usually train the build-up [playing out from the back] in training, based on what team we are going to face the next game.
“If we do the build-up so well it’s because our players offer me different options, so that makes it easier.
“With calm and quality on the pass, it always works out. Of course, you need to have the courage and be very cool to play that way, because any mistake can end up in a goal.”
There have been precious few of those. Ederson – at the forefront of a new generation of Premier League ‘sweeper keepers’ – has conceded just 17 in the league this season, a tally bettered only by Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga (16) and Alisson (10) at Liverpool.
It’s his rivalry with Alisson, a man who kept him out of Brazil’s World Cup starting XI last summer, that looks likely to define the domestic season.
He said: “We have a good friendship, even if we can’t see each other often.
“We hang out sometimes on special occasions, like barbecues or friends’ meetings. I am also big friends with Roberto Firmino and all the Brazil players in the north of England.
“We try to see each other but it’s difficult because of our games.”
City’s matches will come thicker and faster than Liverpool’s, given they remain alive in all four competitions.
Ederson already has a tattoo of the Portuguese title trophy on one leg but what about the prospect of a Champions League or Premier League title trophy on the other?
“It would be a difficult question to answer,” he added.
“But the Champions League would be great, because the club has never won it and it would make us go down in history.”
Those who doubt he is capable of helping City pull it off should take a look at his history before dismissing the prospect.