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Why Man City signing £35m wall instead of Arsenal star has turned out to be another Guardiola masterstroke

Why Guardiola has shown his magic by signing Ederson over Leno

According to Daily Mail, Pep Guardiola had two choices to sign a new goalkeeper in 2017 after Claudio Bravo’s move from Barcelona was doomed. It was either Bernd Leno from Bayer Leverkusen or Ederson from Benfica and Guardiola decided to bring the Brazilian to the Etihad Stadium.

Ederson has helped Manchester City win back to back Premier League titles in his two seasons in the Premier League. During his first season in the Premier League, he featured in all but two matches. He helped the Citizens win 30 games, losing just twice. He kept 16 clean sheets during that season.

When compared to the German shot-stopper who joined Arsenal a year after Ederson joined Manchester City, Leno made 32 appearances in his Premier League debut season. The Gunners won just 17 and drew eight of them as he was able to keep only six clean sheets.

Ederson Moraes

Leno conceded 42 goals to Ederson’s 26 in his debut season despite featuring in four games more than his competitor. The Brazilian made two errors leading to goal while the German made five.

Ederson saved two penalties to Leno’s nil. When the Brazilian helped the club win the Premier League, the German failed to even secure a Champions League finish. However, Leno made almost twice the number of saves (105) than Ederson (58).

Ederson got better in the following season, featuring in all league fixtures, winning 32 and losing just 4 of them. He kept 20 clean sheets and conceded just 23 goals. He made no error leading to goal and also assisted Sergio Aguero for a goal through a long pass. Once again, he played a key role in City’s title-winning season.

In the current season, Ederson has featured in all nine league games and has won six of them, losing twice. Leno has won four and lost twice in as many games.

Ederson

Ederson has kept four clean sheets to Leno’s two. The Cityzen has conceded nine goals compared to the Gunner’s 12 while the former has made 22 saves to the latter’s 35. Leno has already made an error leading goal. Even though Ederson has made fewer passes (206) than Leno (235) this season, he has made more accurate passes (35) than the German (22).

The 26-year-old Brazilian is regarded as the Premier League’s best goalkeeper in possession, something Guardiola demands of his No 1. He has been named in the PFA Team of the year.

He came third for The Best FIFA men goalkeeper last season. The shot-stopper became the then most expensive goalkeeper and has clearly proved his worth in just two seasons. A smart move by Guardiola there!