Guardiola Names City’s Starting Goalkeeper Ahead of Premier League Opener

Manchester, England – Pep Guardiola confirmed that Ederson will start as Manchester City’s first-choice goalkeeper as they head into their Premier League opening match against Wolves on Saturday.

Manchester City will face Vitor Pereira’s Wolves at Molineux Stadium, aiming to improve upon last season’s performance after a limited pre-season period. Guardiola noted that the team took a longer holiday following the FIFA Club World Cup, resulting in just two friendly matches. City secured a 1-0 victory over Preston North End in a closed-door match and won 3-0 against Palermo in Sicily.

During a press conference at the Football Academy on Friday, Guardiola discussed several topics, including player injuries and team dynamics. He acknowledged a recent setback for Rodri: “This is a difficult injury. Statistics say that the year after, always you have some muscular problems. We tried desperately to avoid it, but it’s difficult.”

Guardiola stressed the importance of Rodri’s return, noting his essential role in the team as last year’s best player. “It makes me smile, makes me so happy, and he’s so close,” he said about Rodri’s progress.

When asked about his starting goalkeeper, Guardiola stated, “Right now, Ederson. If he’s fit, yeah.” He also expressed satisfaction with the depth of players available during pre-season, calling it a “paradise” with a large squad.

However, as the season approaches, competition within the team heats up. Guardiola implied that some players would not make the cut for the first match but reassured them that future opportunities will come as games are scheduled every few days.

Furthermore, he acknowledged the reality of having a large squad: “They know it. We spoke about that. They know it.” The manager indicated that while retaining all players might not be ideal, each player is valued in the squad.

Looking ahead, Guardiola emphasized the need to focus on winning against Wolves: “I’ll try to win at Wolves tomorrow, and after we’ll see.” He expressed no concrete predictions on the title race, saying he wants to concentrate on the present.

Lastly, regarding the FIFA Club World Cup and its impact on preparation, Guardiola expressed readiness despite the short training time: “We had a short preparation but the preparation was good.”