Once again the English Premier League has gone down to wire. With the final matchday(Matchday 38) to be played on Sunday with Man City and Arsenal just two points adrift. Although last season’s treble winners look set to lift their 10th league title on Sunday, yet there is a ray of hope for Arsenal. Manchester City will be without their first-choice shotstopper Ederson. Stefan Ortega will be starting between the sticks for Manchester City on sunday.
Stefan Ortega: Boosted Man City’s FFP
Ortega arrived in Manchester in 2022 summer transfer window on a free transfer after his contract expired at Arminia Bielefeld. The German Shotstopper’s arrival has boosted Man City’s Financial Fair Play(FFP) situation. The English champions acquired a quality second choice goalkeeper without having to pay any transfer fee. Thus that left the Man City purse with more money to be spent on acquiring players elsewhere bringing more quality players.
Playing a Big Role This Season
Manchester City’s recruitment policy has been successful as they aim to lift another league title on Sunday with a victory over West Ham United. Although Pep Guardiola’s side will be without their first choice goalkeeper, Ederson. The Brazilian suffered injury during the game against Tottenham, which City won 2-0 scoring two goals in the second half. The current Premier League Champions know a victory over West Ham would crown them English Champions for the 10th time.
Moreover, even though Stefan Ortega is starting over Ederson against West Ham, no Manchester City fan would be nervous given how well Ortega performed throughout the season in the big games. Despite not starting against Tottenham last week, Ortega came on after replacing Ederson to produce big saves to keep a clean sheet.
Premier League: Gone Down to Wire
Although Manchester City leads the title race with a two point gap over the Gunners. With one game to go, both clubs can lift the title on the final day. The equation for Manchester City is simple, as they just need to win their game over West Ham. The equation for Arsenal is more complex, they need to win their game and to expect city to drop points. Thus, the final Matchday is going to be very interesting.
Stefan Ortega: Future Undecided
Moreover, with key performances for Manchester CIty in the big game, Ortega must want to play more games next season. And thus might be searching for a future away from City to get more playing time. The 31-year-old German still has plenty of years left in the game but won’t be the first choice goalkeeper for Manchester City.
“No, [Ederson] is the first choice,”
– said Guardiola in April when asked about City’s goalkeeping department
Conclusion: City’s Decision on Ortega Future
Moreover, Pep Guardiola’s side must make a decision over Ortega’s future this summer. Thus, with a year left on his current deal, City could earn some transfer fees after his performances this season. Ortega must himself decide if he wants to play as a second-fiddle to Ederdon or not.
Furthermore, knowing that he will play as second-choice shot-stopper, it’s a crucial decision that Setfan Ortega must make quickly. With Ederson on the sidelines most of the season due to injury, Ortega got to show his skills, it surely won’t be the case next season. Thus the decision is his to make, if he wish to stay at Manchester City.
As featured on ManCityNews.com
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