Pep Guardiola has revealed Stefan Ortega is in line to play in City’s FA Cup fifth round trip to Bristol City.
Since signing from Arminia Bielefeld in the summer of 2022, the German’s seven appearance have all come in cup competitions, as he continues to offer a strong alternative to Ederson.
Across those outings, however, he has impressed immensely – keeping four clean sheets and helping us progress into knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, the Carabao Cup quarter-final and into the next stage of the FA Cup.
And Guardiola hailed the 30-year-old’s ability ahead of our visit to Ashton Gate on Tuesday 28 February.
“Yes [he’ll play]. [He’s pushing Ederson] a lot. A lot,” the boss said.
“The way he’s played in Carabao Cup and FA Cup so far. Even in the Champions League when he played against Dortmund.
“We were qualified but fighting for the first position. He’s an exceptional goalkeeper. Exceptional.”
While Ortega Moreno has deputised excellently in cup competitions this season, Ederson has played all of City’s Premier League games – while featuring five times in the Champions League.
This has raised his total City appearances to 272 in all competitions – as he closes in on 100 clean sheets for the Club (currently on 99).
But Guardiola has been encouraged by the battle between the Brazilian and German for first choice supremacy in training.
The boss added: He’s [Ederson] another exceptional goalkeeper, I have no doubts.
“The reality is now we have another keeper pushing to him like never before. In terms of what they have done so far in the build up with the group.
“He’s a typical German goalkeeper, they stay up. Makes incredible handball movements. He’s a really, really good keeper.
“But Ederson is a really important figure on and off the pitch and everything like that.”
THREE CITY PLAYERS NAMED IN 2022 FIFPRO WORLD 11
Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland and Joao Cancelo have all been named in the men’s 2022 FIFPRO World 11.And former City players Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh have been included in the women’s squad.
Celebrating the finest footballers across the globe in both the men’s and women’s games, the FIFPRO World 11s are voted for each year by professional footballers around the world.
De Bruyne, 31, appears for the third season in a row, underlining his consistent quality and reputation as one of the finest midfielders in world football.
The Belgian enjoyed the finest goalscoring season of his career to date in 2021/22, finishing third in the Ballon D’Or rankings last October.
And it’s the second-successive season Haaland has been named in the side after appearing in last year’s when he was a Borussia Dortmund player.
Since moving to City in the summer, Haaland has scored 33 goals in all competitions, with his Premier League tally of 27 a new single-season record for the Club with 13 games still left to play.
For Cancelo, currently on loan at Bayern Munich, it’s a debut appearance, recognition of his virtuoso attacking displays for City and Portugal during 2022.
Bronze and Walsh helped City to Conti Cup success and led England to Euro 2022 glory, before both joining Barcelona in the summer.
Reflecting on his latest achievement, De Bruyne said: “Any time your fellow professionals vote to recognise your ability, it means so much. To be in this World XI for the third year in a row really is fantastic and truly humbling.
“I work hard every single day to ensure I am consistent; I want to perform at my highest level as often as possible. If other players recognise that it means I am doing something right.
“I want to thank everyone who voted for me – but also the management, staff and players here at City because, without them, I could not do what I do.”
“I am really happy to be named in the latest World XI,” Haaland said.
“I’m grateful to be recognised as one of the best.
“Nothing beats being voted for by other players. When your peers recognise your quality, it means so much.
“I just want to keep doing well and hopefully end this season with some trophies for Manchester City.”
Everyone at Manchester City is delighted for Kevin, Erling and Joao on their deserved inclusions!
Source: mancity.com; mancity.com
