Jamie Carragher believes Manchester City must prioritize signing a new goalkeeper this summer, arguing that Ederson is no longer performing at the level required.
Since his £35 million move from Benfica in 2017, Ederson has been a key figure for City, rarely missing games under Pep Guardiola.
However, after eight seasons at the club, the 31-year-old’s performances have shown signs of decline, with errors creeping into his game.
His struggles were evident earlier this season when he was dropped for three matches in December after City endured an eight-game winless run.
Though he regained his starting spot from Stefan Ortega, his performance in City’s dramatic 3-2 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid reignited concerns.
Leading 2-1 with just minutes remaining, Ederson’s misplaced pass and weak save led to Brahim Diaz’s equalizer.
Moments later, he rushed off his line but misjudged the situation, allowing Jude Bellingham to score the winner.
City resisted Saudi Arabian interest in Ederson last summer, but Carragher now believes it’s time for a change.
“Manchester City need a new goalkeeper,” the former Liverpool defender said on CBS Sports. “Ederson has been brilliant with the ball at his feet, but in terms of actual goalkeeping, he’s costing them. He’s won everything, but these mistakes have gone on too long.”
Despite the criticism, Guardiola defended his goalkeeper, calling him City’s “best player” on the night.
“Eddy decided to play long, it was not a good kick, and they scored,” Guardiola said. “If we played short and they scored, you’d say play long. Decisions happen in the moment—sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. It’s not just today; it has happened before. We reflect, improve, and move forward.”
With City still fighting for silverware, Ederson’s form will be under intense scrutiny in the coming months. Whether Guardiola stands by his long-term No. 1 or looks for a replacement in the summer remains to be seen.