The Winning Mindset of Ederson: Unveiling Unprecedented Heights and Feeding Erling Haaland

During Manchester City's 3-1 triumph over Red Star Belgrade, Pep Guardiola's facial expression showed a combination of confusion and relief as he shielded his eyes with his hand. The camera captured his reaction after witnessing Ederson, his goalkeeper, daringly execute a Cruyff turn to evade Osman Bukari, the opposing striker, from around 30 yards away. This move was especially perilous, even for someone of Ederson's caliber.

Ederson didn't share the same perspective. "I didn't perceive it as a risk," he says with a smile. The next morning, he is at the club's training ground, questioning the significance given to the incident.

"It was simply a means of evading pressure," he elaborates. "As I exited my goal, the striker approached me from the left side, so using my heel for that touch was one of the choices available to me."

He successfully attempted it, maintaining his composure despite the pressure. He was aware of the support from his team-mates if he required it. His response sheds light on the mindset of a goalkeeper with exceptional composure when handling the ball.

"I would be thrilled to witness his performance as an outfield player in a match," recently stated football analyst Jamie Carragher. "I am confident that he would be able to handle it."

This idea is quite tempting. However, Guardiola and Manchester City have no reason to consider it. Especially when this goalkeeper, who also excels as a playmaker and sweepers, provides them with such immense value in his current position.

Since joining from Benfica in 2017 for a hefty £35m, the Brazilian goalkeeper has been an integral part of Guardiola's team. His presence has been instrumental in the team's success, which includes five Premier League titles, six domestic cups, and even a Champions League trophy. Ederson's commitment and consistency have made him one of the team's longest-serving players, only surpassed by Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones. Unlike his teammates, he is exempt from Guardiola's rotation policy, starting 223 out of a potential 233 Premier League matches since his debut and boasting an impressive 104 clean sheets.

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Ederson signed with Manchester City for a transfer fee of £35 million from Benfica in 2017. His impressive performance continues to evolve, as stated by his manager. Guardiola praised his growth and highlighted his crucial saves during the 1-1 draw against West Ham, which ultimately led to City's 3-1 victory.

"Yes, definitely," affirms Ederson. "As individuals, especially as athletes, we constantly strive to develop and enhance ourselves each day.

"And as players, the objective remains the same. I make an effort every day to elevate my performance and expand my knowledge. Moreover, I endeavor to improve as a father, a son, and a husband."

'Sensational' year and Ortega's pushing

Ederson's constant desire to improve day by day has allowed him to witness the remarkable differences and tangible results that come with personal growth. His unwavering commitment to evolution is evident now more than ever, particularly in the past six months, during which he has surpassed Alisson Becker to become Brazil's number one goalkeeper.

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Ederson rejoices in victory after securing the UEFA Super Cup in August.

While City's defensive prowess often limits the number of saves he has to make, Ederson has consistently delivered crucial interventions in recent matches, including the West Ham game.

Ederson has had numerous highlights in his career so far, but one that stands out is the dramatic Champions League final against Inter Milan in Istanbul. He made incredible reflex stops from both Romelu Lukaku and Robin Gosens, ultimately helping City secure the treble.

Honestly, describing last season is a challenge. Winning multiple titles is a rare achievement, with only Manchester United having done so in the past in England. Therefore, being able to replicate that success was truly exceptional. It was an incredible year for all of us, although pinpointing specific standout moments is quite difficult.

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Ederson rejoices in the victory of the Champions League alongside his wife and three children. "Undoubtedly, the most remarkable aspect is being in the company of our families, especially my children. These are the moments that truly leave a lasting impression on all of us."

Ederson's frequent references to his family are remarkable. He believes that his stability off the field directly impacts his exceptional performances on the field. Nevertheless, his family is not the sole source of support for him. Following the end of the match in Istanbul, while most of City's players and coaching staff rejoiced with their fans at the opposite end of the stadium, reserve goalkeepers Stefan Ortega and Scott Carson immediately joined Ederson in celebration.

"We have a very good relationship between all the goalkeepers," he says. "We push each other every day."

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Ederson poses with Stefan Ortega and Scott Carson

This is especially evident in the case of his second choice goalkeeper, Ortega. Following his arrival in the summer, Ortega showcased his prowess last season by securing nine clean sheets in his 13 starts. In February, Guardiola acknowledged this by stating, "Ederson now has a goalkeeper who pushes him like never before." Ederson himself recognizes Ortega's talent, asserting, "We are all aware of Stefan's quality."

Passing prowess and feeding Haaland

He has demonstrated his talent in games himself. Additionally, it motivates me, Scott, and Stef when we see his impressive performance. Each day, our goal is to surpass our previous achievements, knowing that it is not an easy task considering the exceptionally high standards Ederson has already set in terms of his distribution. However, recent developments indicate that he is taking on an even more significant role in City's build-up play this season.

Having attempted roughly 27 passes per 90 minutes across the previous six campaigns, he is now averaging 43. At times, he has even been seen stepping into City's defensive line.

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"Absolutely, I thoroughly enjoy it," Ederson expresses his satisfaction with the increased responsibility. "The nature of the game greatly influences it. Take, for instance, the match against Burnley [at the beginning of the season], where they apply relentless pressure and strict man-to-man marking. Consequently, I, as the goalkeeper, became the open man in our team.

"We implemented a strategic approach where I could advance and function almost like a third center-back, facilitating the distribution of the ball from the defensive line."

This is a huge responsibility as a single mistake can result in us conceding a goal. However, I am fully prepared for any situation that may arise. Whether I need to play defensively or if there is an opportunity for me to push forward, I am prepared for it.

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Ederson effectively acted as a third centre-back against Burnely

Ever since Erling Haaland joined the team last season, his laser-guided long passes have become an even more powerful asset. Combining Ederson's precision with the incredible physicality of the Norwegian striker has allowed Guardiola to introduce a new level of directness to City's arsenal.

In October of the previous year, they even collaborated for a goal, with Ederson's remarkable pass from within his own box propelling Haaland forward to score the opening goal in their 3-1 triumph against Brighton.

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Ederson's long pass set up Erling Haaland's opener against Brighton last season

Ederson provides a captivating perspective on their tactical comprehension. "With Erling leading the attack, we have another avenue to explore. His presence greatly enhances the effectiveness of long passes.

"Undoubtedly, when teams employ a man-to-man pressing strategy, Haaland often finds himself as the free player with ample space to receive the ball. Initially, my intention is to deliver a pass to him, enabling him to maneuver more easily and gain better control of the ball.

It is also quite beneficial when he positions himself on the left side, requiring me to direct the ball towards the right. Therefore, my initial action is to execute the pass, followed by his subsequent movement. Naturally, the pass must be delivered swiftly due to his remarkable speed and physical prowess. Consequently, he is able to reach the ball in a well-executed manner, thus generating a favorable chance to score a goal.

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Ederson's pass map demonstrates the diverse range of passes he has made this season. The coordination and execution of these passes are meticulously practiced during training sessions, undoubtedly a more desirable undertaking compared to the daunting task of confronting the prolific Norwegian striker in shooting drills.

"Yes," Ederson chuckles, "but it's not just Erling. Phil (Foden), Jack (Grealish), Jeremy (Doku), who just joined, and Bernardo (Silva) also assist me daily with challenging shots during training."

However, there is undoubtedly an acknowledgment that Haaland's skills stand out.

Man City's relentless mentality explained

Just imagine what Erling is capable of when he's not under any pressure during training, especially considering his impressive goal-scoring abilities that we witness on the grandest stages. And it's worth noting that Guardiola doesn't allow his players to ease up in training sessions either.

The manager's relentless demand has been instrumental in City's ability to seamlessly carry their success from an impressive treble to a near-perfect start in the following campaign, as per Ederson. "I observe numerous teams capable of clinching significant titles, be it on an international or European scale. However, they often encounter challenges in sustaining their performance afterwards," he remarks.

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Ederson attributes Man City's unwavering determination to Pep Guardiola's guidance. "We have Pep, constantly urging us to strive for more. Despite our successes in the Champions League and Premier League, he always challenges us to find ways to enhance our game."

He consistently seeks more from us and, collectively, we consistently strive and commit ourselves to enhancing and upholding the work already accomplished. Sustaining success in the face of triumphs followed by setbacks is exceedingly challenging. Our objective is to attain the stability required to remain at the pinnacle.

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"In the end, there is no player who exemplifies these qualities more than Ederson, the skillful goalkeeper renowned for his Cruyff turns. He continues to improve and his perception of risk sets him apart from his peers."

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