Ederson’s efforts for City praised by Stones
While it has been Manchester City’s attack that has dominated the headlines with 29 goals scored in their first nine games of the season, defender John Stones believes the work of goalkeeper Ederson should not be underestimated.
The Brazilian, who joined from Benfica in the summer for £35,000,000 (Dh172.1m) kept his fifth successive clean sheet as City made it two wins out of two in the Uefa Champions League with a 2-0 triumph over Shakhtar Donetsk at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.
Stones, who was part of the defence in front of Ederson against Shakhtar and has played in every City game this season, said that goalkeeper, 24, has played a big part in City’s impressive efforts at the back that have seen them concede only two goals.
“It’s a credit to him,” the defender said. “It’s not easy coming from another country.
“It’s a different culture, different language, and he’s settled quickly. He’s speaking to us on the pitch.
“He’s a vocal presence and a presence as a person.”
Stones, who joined City from Everton last season for a fee of £47.5m, added he and his defensive teammates took pride from their strong start to the season, which has seen them lead the Premier League and go top of Group F in the Champions League.
“From my perspective and the back four and the keeper, to keep clean sheets has been a big target and we’ve been defensively solid in the Premier League and the Champions League,” he added as he and City now look to Saturday’s trip to defending champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
“It’s about carrying that on now. It’s a big thing for me, and it’s as satisfying as the boys up the top scoring.”
It was not all good news for City as full-back Benjamin Mendy travelled to Barcelona on yesterday for scans on a knee injury that appears worse than City anticipated.
It may force Pep Guardiola to enter the transfer market in January to bolster his defensive options on the left flank.
In the meantime, he identified four candidates to fill in for the Frenchman: Danilo, Fabian Delph, Fernandinho and Oleksandr Zinchenko, the 20-year-old Ukrainian who is yet to make his City debut.
Delph is now the man in possession, a player hailed by Guardiola for an “amazing game” against Shakhtar.
“He wants to help and help,” the City manager added of Delph’s performance.
“With the ball he is so clever like a midfield player.”