Manchester City: Skirmish of the City stoppers
It’s less than a week to go until Manchester City host Stoke City when the Premier League restarts. News coming out of City is that Claudio Bravo is looking for a move away from Manchester. Unhappy with being second choice for the Blues, the shot stopper is apparently trying to get the City hierarchy’s attention.
My opinion on the Chilean has been said on numerous occasions in the past. Unhappy about the departure of Joe Hart initially, I now find comfort with Ederson in net. If that means Bravo departs then so be it.
Tuesday, hopefully, we will get to see our top two keepers face off as Brazil host Chile in the final round of the South America qualification for Russia 2018. Rotation, with qualification already secured, means Ederson should tend goal for the five-time World Cup winners.
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For Chile, they still need a result. Bravo is their first choice keeper and so, should be in the opposition net for the final game. Third going into the game, the top four automatically qualify with the fifth placed side getting a play-off spot.
Uruguay host Bolivia with a draw securing an automatic place. One final big push for Argentina, who find themselves in sixth position, need to get a victory for Aguero and co to be certain of Russia next summer.
A winner takes all game sees Colombia go to Peru with Paraguay an outside shot. Although they host an already eliminated Venezuela they are reliant on other games going their way. For me though, it will be the Brazil against Chile game.
If Ederson starts, it will be his first senior cap, although he did win the Toulon Tournament with the U-23’s in 2014. Ask any City fan, and it’s clear he has made us more secure at the back from last season. At only 24 years old, he’s starting his senior International career, and will only get better.
Next: Looking at City's International stars
At the other end, a decade older, is Bravo. As I said earlier, his City career to date, has been less than impressive. Internationally though he must be doing something right. 118 caps for the Chileans and their number one shot stopper for more than a decade.
He was there for both Copa America wins, in 2015 and 2016, making the team of the tournament and goalkeeper of the tournament on both occasions. Depending on where you are in the world it may take a lot of dedication to watch it live. A 12:30 am kick off at the Allianz Parque for you Mancunians. For me in the States, it’s a much more palatable 7:30pm, might even get a rare Danilo spot too!