Pep Guardiola calls goalkeeper the most important position

Pep Guardiola has claimed that goalkeeper is the most important position on the pitch, also describing Manchester City stopper Ederson as one of the club's greatest ever signings.

When Guardiola initially joined the Cityzens in 2016, they endured some selection difficulties between the sticks. Joe Hart was soon pushed out of the club but his replacement, Claudio Bravo, experienced a error-prone first season.

These issues were solved by the £35m signing of Ederson in 2017. Since arriving in Manchester he has barely missed a game, helping City win a host of major honours.

Reflecting on the Brazilian's success before his side's Premier League meeting with Leicester City on Boxing Day, Guardiola was full of praise.

"Absolutely, I completely agree," he replied when asked if Ederson was one of City’s best signings.

"He has been consistent in this period. I had a feeling that in the last three, four games he even made a step forward.

"I had the feeling when he came back from the previous international break with Brazil he was a little bit low.

"Sometimes it happens. In a season it’s impossible to sustain the whole time. But in the last two, three weeks in the training sessions and games I feel we have seen the best Eddie we have.

"The work Richard [Wright] and Xabi [Mancisidor] do is incredible. City have incredible staff. Xabi was here before I arrived and how they improve 'keepers is incredible."

Guardiola went on to stress the importance of the goalkeeping position in the modern game.

"Eddie is a very important player for us. I would say the 'keeper is the most important player on the team, more than a striker, the 'keeper is fundamental.

"Eddie has been brilliant since he came to Manchester."

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