Guardiola Turns to Donnarumma After Ederson Exit Amid City’s Woes

Guardiola Turns to Donnarumma as Ederson Leaves and City’s Form Falters

Manchester City’s sudden swoop for Gianluigi Donnarumma on deadline day signals growing concern for Pep Guardiola as the Premier League champions deal with back-to-back defeats and the departure of goalkeeper Ederson to Fenerbahce.

The £26m signing from Paris St-Germain adds experience and leadership to a team that has already lost Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, and Jack Grealish in the dressing room, but the pressure is now squarely on Guardiola ahead of a season-defining Manchester derby on 14 September.

Donnarumma Arrives, Trafford Demoted?

James Trafford, who returned from Burnley this summer for £27m, had started all three games so far — including a clean sheet at Wolves — but despite promising signs, his future as City’s number one is in doubt.

Donnarumma, the Euro 2020 hero and Champions League winner with PSG last season, is expected to take over the gloves immediately, potentially relegating Trafford to the bench despite his youth and long-term potential.

While Trafford showed resilience in City’s 2-1 defeat at Brighton with five key saves, Guardiola’s call to bring in Donnarumma at the last moment points to a lack of confidence in Trafford’s readiness to lead the back line in big games.

Ederson’s Exit Leaves Big Shoes to Fill

Ederson, one of the most revolutionary goalkeepers in Premier League history, leaves behind a legacy of six league titles, a Champions League trophy, and an unmatched ability to build attacks from the back.

“He changed the way goalkeeping is viewed,” said Peter Schmeichel, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live. “Even under pressure, Ederson could launch an 80-yard pass. No one can play like Ederson.”

This is exactly where Donnarumma may struggle. While an elite shot-stopper and commanding presence in the box, his distribution and ball control pale in comparison to the Brazilian’s pinpoint passing — a pillar of Guardiola’s possession-based philosophy.

City’s Worrying Start to the Season

Despite a strong 4-0 opening win against Wolves, City have lost momentum with defeats against Tottenham and Brighton, sparking concern among fans and pundits.

Guardiola didn’t hold back post-Brighton: “When we conceded the goal, we stopped playing.”

The team sits behind rivals Manchester United, managed by Ruben Amorim, who has faced his own turmoil but now finds his side ahead of City in the table.

The derby clash now carries huge weight. Guardiola must decide quickly whether to put his faith in experience (Donnarumma) or potential (Trafford) — a call that could shape the course of the season.

What Next for Guardiola and City?

With £180m spent this summer, the pressure is immense. City have invested in a mix of youth and experience, but the goalkeeper position — once untouchable under Ederson — is now their biggest question mark.

Guardiola is not known for rash decisions, but with the season already showing signs of turbulence, he cannot afford to get it wrong. The next match at the Etihad could very well set the tone for the rest of the campaign.