Who is Ederson? The Benfica goalkeeper set to move to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City
Football Whispers runs down all the vital stats on the Brazilian No1 as flop Claudio Bravo set for just a one-season cameo
NOT happy with finishing his first ever campaign trophy-less, Pep Guardiola has acted quickly this summer.
Before the dust has settled on Manchester City’s third-placed finish, the Spaniard has moved to sign Bernardo Silva from Monaco and that is just the beginning.
Benfica goalkeeper Ederson is set to join the Manchester club for what would be a world record fee for a goalkeeper.
look closer as to why Pep is going all out for the Brazilian shot-stopper.
Although born in Osasco in Brazil, Ederson has been part of the Benfica set-up since 2010 when he joined the Under-17 team from Sao Paulo.
Although he was sold on to GD Ribeirao and then Rio Ave in 2011, he was brought back into the fold in 2015.
Benfica paid less than £500k for the then 21-year-old, and now they could be about to record a £40million profit for the goalkeeper who won a Gold Medal with Brazil at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
On Sunday, Ederson helped the Portuguese champions beat Vitoria Guimaraes 2-1 to lift the season ending cup final, admitting that was ‘probably my last game for Benfica.’
Coach Rui Vitoria told press after the victory: “If Ederson leaves, he leaves with the gratitude of Benfica. He will always carry Benfica’s name everywhere.”
Now, he is set to join City in a deal that would make him the most expensive goalkeeper ever, eclipsing the £33m Juventus paid Parma for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001.
That deal worked out OK, but does the Brazilian have what it takes to be considered one of the greats in 16 years’ time?
In 27 league games this campaign, the 23-year-old has recorded 18 clean sheets, and before his achievements are belittled by the fact he plays in Portugal, don’t forget he picked up three in the six Champions League games he featured in this season.
In Europe’s elite competition, he made 23 saves.
That’s just one fewer than Monaco’s Danijel Subasic – who played four more games – and more than David Ospina, Hugo Lloris, Kasper Schmeichel and Buffon.
What Guardiola wants from a goalkeeper is someone who is comfortable with the ball at his feet and with 28.9 passes per 90 minutes, he’s not a million miles away from the 30.4 per 90 that Claudio Bravo averaged this season.
The Chilean completes 72.6 per cent of his attempts, with 17.5 short passes per 90.
He’s allowed to play it long, but encouraged to take the simple option, starting the attack from deep.
In the modern day, goalkeepers will kick the ball more than they will make saves each game, so if you can add someone between the posts who is comfortable on the ball and can help move the ball around the pitch, you are adding an 11th footballer.
Under the guidance of the Spanish coach, Ederson has shown enough quality on the ball that he would be able to not only match Bravo’s numbers, but better them and become a dependable member of the defence.
The well-built, stocky Brazilian has a huge left foot and can launch attacks with one swipe of his boot. Able to accurately reach the opposition penalty area with speed, he is exactly what Pep is looking for.
It’s not always about playing the ball short, but finding the best option.
If Joe Hart wasn’t good enough due to his distribution, Bravo has failed at his ability to keep the ball out of the net.
Too often the former Barcelona ‘keeper was beaten was ease and that then increases the doubt the back four have over their last line of defence and it creates uncertainty.
Ederson is commanding and a strong powerful goalkeeper.
He’s a classic sweeper-keeper and averages as many clearances as Bravo this term, and at 0.8 per 90 he manages more than both Buffon and Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois.
When called upon, he has superb reflexes to make dramatic and impressive saves. Ederson covers the goal very well and is quick along the ground.
He’s shown strong hands, an ability to get down fast despite his large frame and is a complete all-rounder.
With the potential to match Bravo with the ball at his feet, the Brazilian is ideal for the City coach in that regard.
What he provides is a larger, more commanding presence, plus a shot-stopping ability to rival Hart and eclipse what both Willy Caballero and Bravo have offered this term.
It’s always a risk to put the pressure on Ederson with a world record transfer fee for a player in his position, but his big broad shoulders and natural talent look capable of taking it all in his stride.
