In a recent interview with ESPN Brasil, Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson opened up about the team’s struggles during what has been a disappointing campaign for the reigning treble winners.
Reflecting on the season, Ederson admitted that it’s been one of the most challenging years he’s experienced at the club, especially when compared to the incredible standards they’ve set in previous seasons under Pep Guardiola.
City, who had dominated the Premier League for the past four years, are now set to surrender their crown to Liverpool, with their chances of winning the title virtually over. Instead of challenging at the top, they’ve found themselves battling for a top-five finish in order to secure a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
However, a dramatic comeback win against Crystal Palace over the weekend provided a glimmer of hope.
Manchester City came from two goals down to claim a 5-2 victory at the Etihad, thanks in large part to Kevin De Bruyne, who is reportedly on his way out of the club this summer.
That victory helped City move from sixth to fifth place in the Premier League standings, keeping their European hopes alive with just six games remaining.
The club also remains in contention for the FA Cup, with a semi-final clash against Nottingham Forest at Wembley still to come. Despite the win, it’s been a season full of ups and downs, with Ederson highlighting several factors that contributed to their disappointing form.
Speaking candidly, the Brazilian goalkeeper revealed that injuries have played a major role in disrupting the team’s rhythm.
He also noted that many players, including himself, haven’t performed at their usual level, leading to inconsistency and underwhelming results. “It’s been a very unusual season, especially when you look at the kind of football we’ve played in recent years,” Ederson explained. “There have been a lot of injuries and some individual performances haven’t been great. That’s football – you can’t always be at your best, and if the whole team isn’t functioning well, then a lot has to change.”
City’s Champions League campaign ended early this year, with a humbling 6-2 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid in the Round of 16. A poor run of form during the autumn had already ended their realistic hopes of defending their Premier League title.
Ederson, who was heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia last summer, remained at the club and has still contributed significantly, even registering four assists this season.
One of those came in the recent Palace match, where he set up James McAtee for City’s fourth goal. He concluded by stressing the importance of securing Champions League qualification, emphasizing that it benefits not only the players but also the club’s reputation and finances.
