Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has admitted there are lots of things that need to be adjusted at the club after this season.
ESPN Brazil have an interview with the goalkeeper today in which he admits qualifying for the Champions League is now the aim and he has no issues with criticism from Pep Guardiola.
Manchester City currently six sixth in the Premier League table and 21 points behind leaders Liverpool after 31 games of the season.
It’s been a disastrous campaign for Guardiola and his squad, with the season ending injury to Rodri the catalyst for a disastrous run of form that saw them slide down the table.
They’re currently locked into a battle with Nottingham Forest, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Aston Villa just to qualify for the Champions League next season.
It’s been a campaign in which the usual standards they’ve set have been sorely absent and Ederson knows things will have to change.
“It’s been a very unusual season in this regard, especially considering everything we’ve produced in recent years,” he said.
“Things that aren’t normal either, right? But this season has been very, very difficult for us. We’ve had a lot of injuries, individual performances that weren’t good.
“But that’s football, you can’t always give your best. And it’s very collective, right? If the 11 don’t work, there are a lot of things that need to be adjusted.”
With no chance of winning the Premier League and having already been knocked out of the Champions League, the focus is now on the FA Cup and finishing in the top five.
Of those two, qualifying for Europe is now seen as the bigger achievement, with that ensuring more money and prestige than England’s oldest cup competition.
Ederson is willing to admit that, stating that missing out on the Champions League would be a big blow for everyone at the club.
“If we were at our best, we would definitely be fighting for the title,” he added.
“Our main goal is to qualify for the Champions League, because next season the players win, the club wins, everyone wins with that. It’s more money for the club, it’s more prestige to play in this competition, it’s completely different. So, I think it would be a big blow if we didn’t qualify.”
The difficult season has visibly had an effect on Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who has struggled to get his team back on track.
That’s led to situations where he has outwardly questioned his squad at certain points, a risky strategy that can often alienate players from a manager.
Ederson has no problem with it, though, insisting he and his Manchester City teammates are paid enough to be criticised and questioned.
“Man, it’s normal. He demands, he demands the players, he demands the staff, he demands everyone. And in the right way,” he concluded.
“He really has to be demanding, because the season we’ve had hasn’t been good. We’re well paid for this, to give our best, to seek the best for the club.”
