Pep Guardiola has never been afraid to take risks but surely this isn’t in his plans.
Guardiola’s obsession with possession continues to make Manchester City an interesting watch and there is no danger of him changing his footballing philosophy for anyone.
One of the biggest challenges facing Guardiola after he arrived at the Etihad in 2016 was to find a goalkeeper who he trusted with the ball at his feet.
Joe Hart fell victim to Guardiola’s demand that his last line of defence also ought to possess a wide and reliable range of passing and Ederson was identified as the solution to the problem.
Ederson has since justified his £35 million price tag and fulfilled Guardiola’s desire, regularly pulling off passes that would make a top midfielder jealous.
Rotation is going to be key as City continue to battle on all four fronts for the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
With City coasting to several victories uncontested this season, Andy Gray has somehow arrived at an unusual prediction for Guardiola’s teamsheet in the future.
“Pep is going to play an outfield player in goal,” Gray predicted on beIN SPORTS.
“In some games, let’s say Burton Albion, he could have played Vincent Kompany in goal, couldn’t he?
“In a game that they think they’re going to win six or seven nil, like a couple of games they’ve won recently, are you telling me they needed a goalkeeper in goal?
Andy Gray predicts Guardiola may one day play WITHOUT a goalkeeper! #beINPL #ManCitypic.twitter.com/UmDnfPkZov
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) February 4, 2019
“The trouble is you might get accused of being disrespectful to the opponent, by playing 11 outfield players with one of them in a goalie strip.
“You could play him on the edge of the 18-yard box and he could ping it everywhere.
“Now and again he might have to pick it up, now and again he might have to make a save but you’re going to win anyway.
“That is the next one I am waiting on. 11 outfield players with one in goal.”
