New Man City signing Stefan Ortega can help Ederson prove point to Pep Guardiola

Recruiting second-choice goalkeepers is a tricky business. In doing so you are essentially asking a player to come to your club and spend 95% of the season sat on the bench, something that most top level players are unsurprisingly reluctant to do.

However, Manchester City might have just hit the jackpot. On Friday the Blues announced the signing of goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, the club's second signing of the summer.

The 29-year-old German has joined Pep Guardiola's side on a free transfer after the expiration of his contract at Arminia Bielefeld, who were relegated from the Bundesliga in 2021/22. He has penned a three-year deal at City, and is expected to play second fiddle to Ederson.

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That is because Zack Steffen, City's number two for the past couple of seasons, is set to join Championship side Middlesbrough on a season-long loan. Steffen had impressed in cameo appearances in 2020/21, but poor performances in the FA Cup against Southampton and Liverpool - the latter including a calamitous goalline mistake - sparked doubts over his ability to effectively deputise for Ederson.

Having lost his place as the US national team's starting keeper, the feeling from both club and player is that a new challenge could help Steffen regain his confidence and further his development.

This isn't all about Steffen though - Ortega is an upgrade for City, as they are getting one of the best goalkeepers in Europe last season.

Ortega might not have been able to prevent Arminia Bielefeld's relegation, but he was among the best keepers in the Bundesliga in 2021/22. He ranked second in the division for save percentage (saving 73% of shots faced) and second for goals