Manchester City: Pep Guardiola insists goalkeeper Ederson IS a genuine option to take penalties

Pep Guardiola insists No 1 goalkeeper Ederson IS a genuine option to take Manchester City’s penalties in the absence of the injured Kevin De Bruyne after Ilkay Gundogan missed another spot-kick against Liverpool

  • Pep Guaridola says goalkeeper Ederson could take Manchester City’s penalties
  • Ilkay Gundogan became the third player to miss a spot-kick this season  
  • Regular penalty-taker Kevin De Bruyne is currently missing through injury

Pep Guardiola has revealed Ederson is an option to take Manchester City’s penalties in Kevin De Bruyne’s absence.

Ilkay Gundogan was the latest to miss from the spot during Sunday’s 4-1 victory at Liverpool, with his manager admitting afterwards that he was only half-joking when suggesting that the goalkeeper may take one soon.

Guardiola confirmed on Tuesday that Ederson, who occasionally took set pieces as a youngster, could step forward. 

The shot-stopper occasionally took set pieces as a youngster

Pep Guardiola (left) revealed goalkeeper Ederson (right) could take Manchester City’s penalties in Kevin De Bruyne’s absence

’Now (Sergio) Aguero is out and Kevin not here, it is an option,’ Guardiola said. ‘Of course it is. He has to save the goals and after that we will see what happens.

‘The way Gundogan missed a penalty and then reacted shows how strong he is. We try and see as many games as possible to analyse what we do to beat them. It’s not secrets, it’s our job and life.’

City travel to Swansea City on Wednesday in the FA Cup fifth round hoping for a smoother passage than their last meeting two years ago.

Ilkay Gundogan became the third player to miss a penalty when he blazed over at Liverpool

Ilkay Gundogan became the third player to miss a penalty when he blazed over at Liverpool

Guardiola’s side squeezed past the Swans, then managed by Graham Potter, and will take a strong team to south Wales. They are again likely to be without Aguero, however.

‘Sergio trained with the group for 10-15 minutes yesterday and later he did some part alone,’ Guardiola added. ‘Day by day he is feeling better.

‘Swansea have a tradition of managers, Michael Laudrup, Roberto Martinez, Potter was there. We suffered a lot there, 2-0 down and our third goal was offside, it was a difficult day.

‘I don’t expect a different game to two seasons ago when we suffered incredibly. I know about the consistency, defensively they don’t give chances and goals.

‘They are so solid in this formation, they have quality up front, quality in the middle. It will be a difficult test, we have to do a good performance.’

Guardiola also said Sergio Aguero is improving after returning to training on Monday

Guardiola also said Sergio Aguero is improving after returning to training on Monday