Scott Carson call will delight Pep Guardiola as hidden value shown

There has been plenty of uncertainty around Manchester City this summer.

Kevin De Bruyne and Ederson have had strong interest from the Saudi Pro League, while Julian Alvarez could yet upset the applecart with Atletico Madrid in talks over a potential deal. With two weeks to go until the start of the Premier League, most of the squad are still on the beach after their efforts in the European Championship.

It will appear of little value to anybody outside of the club to see Scott Carson involved in City's pre-season and taking the armband when he came on against Chelsea. Carson is a figure of fun for many, a third-choice who has only ever been wheeled out before when the league was already won.

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The most important decision in the City goalkeeping department has been that Ederson looks set to stay. The second most important is that Stefan Ortega has signed a contract extension.

Each of those decisions would have weakened City if it had gone the other way and potentially exposed Carson to more game time than the Blues would want as they compete on five fronts. However, Guardiola knows the hidden value that the veteran keeper brings to the squad that cannot be underestimated.

"Maybe people don't know it but he's a real leader for us," he said a few years ago. "He says straight away what he believes, he has a lot of experience, he has been in incredible locker rooms with big teams. He is an incredible person."

Carson is looked up to in the City squad and his voice is respected, as was reflected in him getting the captain's armband when he came on against Chelsea. Guardiola knows