Manchester, UK – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admitted on Friday that he has yet to determine who will be his first-choice goalkeeper when the team faces Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday. The position has been thrown into doubt following a shaky start to the season and widespread transfer speculation.
Uncertainty Between the Posts
James Trafford, a 22-year-old academy graduate, began the season in goal after rejoining the club in a £27 million deal from Burnley. However, a nervous display and a glaring error during last week’s loss to Tottenham have put his place under scrutiny.
The uncertainty is compounded by the futures of City’s other senior keepers, Ederson and Stefan Ortega. Both are in the final years of their contracts and have been linked with moves away from the club. The club has also been linked with Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, suggesting the question of who will be City’s long-term ‘No. 1’ may not be resolved until after the transfer window closes next week.
Guardiola was noncommittal when asked by BBC reporters if he had made a decision for the Brighton match, stating, “Tomorrow – because I don’t have a press conference.” He acknowledged that in this part of the season, “everything is possible” until the transfer deadline passes.
Rodri’s National Team Call-Up
In other squad news, Guardiola confirmed he was happy for midfielder Rodri to link up with the Spain national team despite the player’s limited start to the season. Rodri, the Ballon d’Or winner, has played only 15 minutes this term after a setback prior to the opening game. Guardiola stated, “He feels better and needs minutes. I think they talk to each other and they decided to select him. I never say when a player is fit, always I support them to go to the national team.”
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