Pep Guardiola explains Ederson 'reality' at Man City after Stefan Ortega decision

Pep Guardiola says Ederson has never been under more pressure for his place at Manchester City but dismissed criticism of his goalkeeper.

City have defended well in the majority of every match this season but have picked up the costly habit of regularly conceding from the first shot on target they have faced. While Guardiola has put this down to the incalculables of football, Ederson's save percentage is down at the moment - before the Bournemouth game his season average was 58 per cent compared to 70 per cent over the last five years - and the goalkeeper has come under criticism from a surprising number of fans for his performances.

The Brazilian is not primarily in the team to be a shot-stopper as his build-up play is so important to City's possession and pressing, yet the displays of Stefan Ortega have been enough for some to suggest the No.2 should get an extended crack in the team. Ortega has impressed in all but one of his matches this season, including when he was picked over Ederson for a Champions League game at Dortmund.

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Guardiola was in no mood to question Ederson's level as he pointed to everything that the club have achieved with the goalkeeper. However, he did say that Ortega - who will start at Bristol City in the FA Cup - has put him under more pressure than any other backup at the club ever managed to do.

"I don't have, and we don't have any doubts about Ederson," said Guardiola. "How many Golden Gloves?

"The performances he has done over many years to achieve what we have achieved, Ederson is an exceptional keeper. I don't have any doubts. But the reality now is he has another keeper that pushes him like never before