Manchester City’s first home game of the season did not go to plan as Pep Guardiola’s men were beaten 2-0 by Tottenham.
There were positive vibes around the Manchester club after opening up their Premier League campaign with a 4-0 win over Wolves last weekend, with new signings Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki shining at Molineux; however, that has been short-lived.
Cherki struggled against Tottenham, but the French star was not the only one, as Thomas Frank’s team were deserved 2-0 winners over Guardiola’s side.
How the match played out at the Etihad Stadium highlighted that a £35m star within Guardiola’s squad is as important now as he has ever been, with Man City currently looking to transition into a new era.
Man City star Ederson taking off his goalkeeper gloves.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Pep Guardiola needs to keep Ederson at Man City
Galatasaray have been pushing to sign Ederson throughout the summer transfer window, and the Brazilian was left on the bench against Tottenham by Guardiola, as the Spanish coach cannot be certain that the 32-year-old will be at the club by the time the market shuts.
James Trafford impressed on his debut against Wolves and was trusted to start again on Saturday, but his display against Tottenham indicated that the 22-year-old is not ready to be Man City’s number one.
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The Englishman showed some impressive moments, his save from Dominic Solanke towards the end of the match being one, but Trafford’s error that led to Spurs’ second goal and some other shaky moments with the ball at his feet will have City fans concerned.
Gianluigi Donnarumma has been linked to Man City as Ederson’s replacement, should the Brazilian leave, but the Italian is not a Guardiola player; therefore, there is a better way forward.
Man City should keep Ederson at the Etihad Stadium for the 2025/26 season, not only to be the number one goalkeeper, but also to help develop Trafford.
The 32-year-old is arguably the greatest goalkeeper of all time with the ball at his feet, and the City legend has a lot to provide Trafford with in terms of knowledge and how to be successful in Guardiola’s system.
Ederson is arguably more important than he has ever been after Man City’s defeat to Tottenham, and it would be wise to keep the 32-year-old beyond next week.
James Trafford in action during Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Rob Green says James Trafford is only doing what he is told
There is no doubt that Trafford will be a top goalkeeper in the Premier League one day, which the 22-year-old proved last weekend against Wolves; however, that will take time, and unfortunately for the Englishman, he will not be given that at a club like Man City.
Former Premier League goalkeeper Rob Green stated during the Tottenham game that Trafford was only doing what he was told to do against Spurs, and hinted that it may take time for him to learn Guardiola’s ways.
Player Games Goals Conceded Clean Sheets Minutes
Ederson 40 54 13 3611
James Trafford 46 16 29 4050
Ederson and James Trafford’s 24/25 stats
“James Trafford is reading it by the book, and he is trying to implement the style as he’s been told. Sometimes it doesn’t happen like it does on the training ground,” Green said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
It will be interesting to see how Guardiola approaches the goalkeeper position over the coming week, with everything indicating that Man City are going to move Ederson on, which would be a mistake.