Manchester City have suffered a serious blow to their Premier League title defence after Ederson was ruled out for up to four weeks with a thigh injury, and is likely to miss their crucial meeting with the leaders, Arsenal, on 31 March.
Ederson sustained the problem in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Liverpool, the goalkeeper being forced off after 56 minutes, with Stefan Ortega replacing him. It is understood the Brazilian could be unavailable for a month.
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Ortega is an experienced deputy who started June’s FA Cup final victory and the regular No 1 in that competition. But the loss of Ederson, who is a crucial part of City’s buildup from the back, for a maximum of three Premier League games – the home meetings with Arsenal and Aston Villa plus the trip to Crystal Palace – is a setback as Pep Guardiola’s team seek to claim a record four successive championships.
Sunday’s draw means Mikel Arteta’s side have 64 points, the same as Liverpool, with City one behind, all having 10 matches remaining. To have the best chance of retaining the title, the champions need to beat Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Easter Sunday and then aim for maximum points from the last 27 available while hoping Liverpool slip up.
Ortega previously replaced Ederson eight minutes into City’s 3-2 league win at Newcastle in January. The 31-year-old struck a confident note regarding deputising when stating he was not overawed at Anfield.
“If you are on the bench, you always think about what can happen if you go on the pitch,” Ortega told City’s website. “[Against Liverpool] was my time with Eddie’s injury. I was ready like always. It was a special moment to come on in this big game and the whole world watching. It was a nice feeling.”
