Ederson: Back pain is hurting us
‘KEEPER SAYS INJURIES BEGINNING TO BITE
EDERSON says injury problems have affected City this season – but insists they won’t disrupt the team.
City have already been without Aymeric Laporte, John Stones, Kevin de Bruyne, Benjamin Mendy and Leroy Sane at times this term, with Laporte and Sane long-term absentees.
The injury to Stones compounded City’s defensive issues, leaving Fernandinho to deputise at the back in recent weeks, but the England international is expected to return after the international break.
Defeat by Wolves last time out saw City slip eight points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool after eight game – but goalkeeper Ederson says the squad has the quality to cope with any setback that is thrown at them.
Despite that, the Brazilian conceded that the amount of injuries this season have undoubtedly affected how City play.
He said: “It’s very difficult for a team like us having injuries, especially if they all happen in the same position on the pitch.
“We all know about the amazing quality of Aymeric and how good he is in the build-up phase. Of course, we are missing him. We have other great players who can replace him in that position.
“Unfortunately, with the injury to John Stones, we have only one natural centre-back. I think the team needs to be mentally strong to carry on playing and winning in the championship.”
Ederson is currently on international duty with Brazil.
AYMERIC Laporte’s absence has caused all kinds of changes to the City team.
Nicolas Otamendi has been exposed without the solid presence of the Frenchman alongside him. John Stones failed to form an effective partnership with him at Norwich, where the newly-promoted team pounced to claim a shock win. And Fernandinho was finally bested at Wolves as the Blues ended this part of the season as they began it – with a defeat.
Elsewhere, Joao Cancelo has been shifted over to the left to provide pace to cover the centre-backs and Rodri has been asked to shoulder more of the defensive burden.
The player that has missed Laporte the most, though, is Ederson.
The Brazilian contributed to his team dropping two points at home to Tottenham when his poor positioning allowed Erik Lamela’s effort to creep in in the first half. But he has made important saves in almost every other game this season and has deserved better than the team’s current standing.
Guardiola recognised the importance of a double-save the keeper made on the opening day at West Ham.
City were 2-0 up but lost focus as they queried why Raheem Sterling’s armpit had been given offside when Ederson was called into action to make an important double save.
“At 0-3 you say the game is almost over, the spectators have nothing to do but at 0-2 10 minutes later Ederson had to make an incredible save,” the manager said.
“If we play the last 15 minutes at 1-2, in this league against West Ham anything can happen.”
Two weeks later his head was in the right place to deflect away Adam Smith’s close-range effort after an Otamendi error at 1-0 before he was out smartly to deny Callum Wilson at 2-1 as Bournemouth piled on the pressure at the Vitality Stadium. The next weekend – Laporte’s last game – he saved from Leandro Trossard to keep City’s 2-0 lead for the break.
The Watford game could have been different if Gerard Deulefeu had got the better of the goalkeeper in the fourth minute, then an outstanding performance helped the Blues beat Everton. He was sharp again to deny Raul Jimenez against Watford but was powerless to stop Adama Traore’s efforts when City were twice caught in possession up the pitch. Where few members of the defence have covered themselves in glory in Laporte’s absence, Ederson’s level has not dropped but the results have not reflected how good he has been. With Stones returning and others jostling for a place in the backline, the goalkeeper will have to hope that his efforts will be better rewarded after the international break.
Despite City’s defensive burden, the player that has missed Laporte the most is Ederson Simon Bajkowski