Ederson’s arrival means it’s time Gunn left Etihad
YOUNGSTER CAN’T AFFORD ANOTHER SEASON ON THE SIDELINES AT CITY
EDERSON’S arrival at City should be enough to tell Angus Gunn what Pep Guardiola couldn’t.
Since he joined the academy in 2011, the England youth international has impressed through the age groups.
A terrific shot-stopper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet, Gunn has shown promise whenever he has represented club or country.
As Gareth Southgate put it back in September after a crucial performance in an England Under-21s game: “He’s a very calm lad, uses the ball well with his feet and that would have been a great experience for him and I hope it has given him a lot of confidence.”
It was no surprise that loan clubs were interested last summer in taking the player out on loan.
However, Guardiola was enthused enough about the youngster’s performances in pre-season - which included a shoot-out win over Borussia Dortmund - that he convinced Gunn to remain as part of the first-team squad.
What appeared a positive decision at the time - the coach took the same tack with defender Tosin Adarabioyo - now looks like a missed opportunity.
There proved to be no chances for Gunn at the Etihad even when Claudio Bravo was dropped, and as he links up again with Jordan Pickford in the England Under-21 squad, he looks a lot further behind the Sunderland man.
A year of playing competitive football was all it took for City to consider Pickford before plumping for Ederson, and first-team football for Gunn could have persuaded the Blues not to spend.
Fortunately for the City prospect, 21 is a long way from being old in the goalkeeping game. But, with reports Norwich are interested in taking him on loan, it is vital he leaves Manchester next season to get a full campaign of football under his belt.
When was the last time a top club trusted a young English keeper?
Joe Hart - probably one of the only examples in this millennium - was 19 when he joined City from Shrewsbury and even two seasons as No.1 under Sven-Goran Eriksson weren’t enough to spare him being sent to Birmingham for another year when the club’s aspirations grew.
It was still a big decision when Roberto Mancini ousted Shay Given, but Hart’s performances for other teams made it impossible for the Blues to ignore.
At just 23, Ederson looks like he will take some shifting from the sticks. However, the struggles of former Barcelona star Bravo highlight that the adaptation to English football should not be taken for granted.
Gunn, signed up at City until 2020, is clearly talented and has had a year to soak up Guardiola’s methods, the best place for him now to start putting pressure on the No.1 is away from the Etihad.