Pep Guardiola would do well to take on board something crucial that Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson just said.
The 2024/25 season has been an awful one on the whole for Manchester City as a club, Pep Guardiola, and indeed Ederson.
The FA Cup is the only trophy that Man City have left to play for, whilst qualification for next season’s Champions League is far from guaranteed at The Etihad.
Pep Guardiola has made some costly transfer errors for Manchester City over the past couple of years, including the signings of players like Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic.
Now he needs to listen oto Ederson, if he is to turn things around.
Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
The Brazilian recently told the Manchester City fans that new signing Vitor Reis will become one of the best central defenders in the world.
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And in the same interview, he offered some really sage advice to Pep.
Man City fortunes would change if Pep Guardiola listens to Ederson
The Man City goalkeeper is one of many players who’ve seriously regressed this season.
Sure, Rodri has been missing for most of the season, but the other experienced players have failed to raise their levels during his absence.
Ederson could actually leave Manchester City this summer, as well as numerous other old heads.
And the former Benfica man has made a frank admission about where he sees the Man City squad right now.
Ederson told ESPN Brazil:
Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
“It’s good to bring in these young players, to plan for the future, because there are a lot of players who are already at the end of their cycle at City, so I think it’s always welcome, good new options to start planting the seeds of the future.”
Reading between the lines, that is a clear a direct message to Pep from the South American goalkeeper.
Why Pep Guardiola has to listen to Ederson and not Bernardo Silva
The need for reinforcements at Man City cannot be underestimated.
The drop-off in form this season has been incredibly drastic, but Pep should have seen it coming.
The Man City manager cannot allow complacency to creep in at The Etihad, and he needs to considerably strengthen his ranks, whilst moving on the deadwood.
That said, Bernardo Silva has a completely different view on things.
He responded furiously when it was put to him that too many Man City players are past their sell-by date:
“Tell me, which player? Give me names. That’s people that don’t understand the game.
“I’m 30, [Mateo] Kovacic is 30. You’re not talking about guys that are 36. We have six or four bad months and out of nowhere we’re old, not good enough. In the last eight seasons we’ve won six Premier Leagues and for four bad months we’re old? I’m asking you. You asked me the question so I answered.
“That’s people that don’t understand the game, never played the game and probably don’t understand a thing about football.”
That very much sounds like a case of Bernardo Silva protesting too much.
If Pep Guardiola follows Ederson’s advice, Manchester City should be in a good place next season.
However, if he listens to Bernardo, there could be some serious pain ahead for him.