Ederson : Your Goalkeeper Could Never

Since signing for Manchester City the Brazilian Ederson is redefining the role of the goal keeper within the English game so that it now includes taking throw ins at Cup Finals, playing in midfield and assisting goals.

As Manchester City fans we have always enjoyed celebrating the eccentric talents of players. From midfielders who danced like Nijinsky to strikers who started a fire in their home by setting off fireworks in their bathroom! But at the moment my current favourite is the unique Ederson and quite frankly, whatever other team you support you just have to stop and marvel at Ederson as he strides about making changes to our understanding of how football should be played. Quite simply:

– your goal keeper could never

Take a Throw In at a Cup Final

Having watched Ederson in every game even I was surprised when at the Carabao Cup Final against Chelsea he took a throw in so that the ball could quickly be brought back into play whilst Chelsea were out of position. I have racked my brains and I cannot recall ever seeing a goal keeper take a throw in before – usually for good reason because in doing so they are not in their goal.

But to do this in a game watched by millions of fans worldwide seems to be taking icy cool to a whole new level. I cannot begin to imagine quite what Guardiola was thinking from the dug out but I am sure this was not a move practiced in training!

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Play Rondos in Midfield

Occasionally other lesser goal keepers can be called into lower midfield usually in response to an emergency -with an attacker through on goal and the keeper as the last man making a last ditch tackle. But Ederson is different. We have seen him stride into midfield – around the half way line – and casually take part in passing rondos to create space for other players.

I have watched incredulously as he crosses the half way line – not to go up for a last minute header, but to make a tackle. This is like rush goalie which we played as kids but then it was because no one ever had any gloves!

Assist Goals

We have seen Ederson can kick a ball the whole length of a football pitch. But crucially he seems to be able to do this with a single glance and to ensure it finds our man. Twice so far this season his long kicking has beaten an opposition press and released a striker through on goal.

To be frank at home games I have started to urge him to shoot when he has the ball. We all know he will score for Manchester City at some point.

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Ederson has changed the way in which we view the role of the goal keeper and his coolness and vision, coupled with his extreme passing ability are making hundreds of kids on school play grounds choose to be in goal. That is some legacy!