Ederson lauds Manchester City’s January signings as uncertainty looms over future amid Saudi interest

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has heaped praise on the swift impact made by club’s January additions since their arrival to the Etihad Stadium.

City signed Abdukodir Khusanov, Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez and Vitor Reis for a combined fee of £181.5 million midway through the season to inject fresh life into an injury-riddled, ageing squad.

The reigning Premier League champions are currently in fifth place in the league table, six points adrift of third-placed Nottingham Forest and one point behind fourth-placed Chelsea, with nine games to go.

A serious drop in results between November and December saw Manchester City throw away all hopes of a historic fifth straight league title as they now hope to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

Their hopes of a top-four finish took another hit after a 2-2 draw at home against Brighton and Hove Albion at the weekend – a week on from a 1-0 loss against Forest at the City Ground.

“This is a different season for us, especially for those here longer. A season out of the norm, especially after everything we’ve produced over the last few years. A very difficult campaign, a lot of injuries, individual performances haven’t been as good, but’s that’s football,” Ederson said an in interview, as quoted by Manchester City’s official website.

“You’re not always able to give the best of yourself. Football is a team sport and if the eleven isn’t working, things have to be adjusted. That’s the process we’re working through, with more lows than highs and we’ve had more bad moments than good this season.

“But even in such an atypical season we’re still in the top five and trying to finish top four to qualify for the Champions League. We have zero chance of the Premier League this year, so we have to fight for Champions League qualification, and of course the FA Cup.”

However, City’s January signings have been a silver lining in a strange season and have instilled fresh, much-needed life into the depleted first-team squad that have won so much under Pep Guardiola.

“All very positive. We were needing reinforcements due to injuries throughout the season. It’s been a lot of games, the risk of injury increases almost 100%. (Abdukodir) Khusanov is great, playing very well,” Ederson added.

“Nico (Gonzalez) arrived to help in a position we needed a lot, possibly the most important in our team, in terms of creation and defensively. Omar (Marmoush) as well – extra energy to help, make us stronger. Plus we have Vitor [Reis], who is a huge talent with a very promising future ahead.

“I’m happy with all of them, along with Claudio (Echeverri) who has just arrived too, and will help. It’s great to bring these young players in and plan for the future. So I think that new options are always welcome.”