Manchester City are a better squad without a big name striker, according to goalkeeper Ederson.
Much has been made this season over City's lack of a recognised striker following Sergio Aguero's departure, with Jack Grealish the only incoming signing in the summer.
City made no secret of their desire to sign a striker, though, with Harry Kane the top target. Lionel Messi, when it became clear he had to leave Barcelona, was also linked, while Cristiano Ronaldo appeared close to a sensational transfer after Kane was forced to stay at Tottenham.
Ronaldo returned to Manchester United, though, with former players and legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson intervening to ensure he didn't sign for City. That has left City without a natural striker, and every performance has been analysed with their summer business in mind.
However, influential goalkeeper Ederson says City players were always calm throughout the summer, and he argued that the side is better without a superstar name leading the line.
He told ESPN Brazil : "Of course there was a lot of speculation and hope on the part of the fans for a strong name, but the team remained calm the whole time. The group is more important than the individual.
"It can also be an advantage, the pressure is divided for everyone in. Of course, if he had a big name here, the pressure on him would be much greater than for the rest of the group.
"We have great players, but none at such a high level as these. The important thing is that the team is compact. It was good for us."
Ederson also backed his outfield teammates to continue finding different ways to score, and ensure games are being won without the striker they are told they so desperately need.
He said: “Our team is doing very well, there are many players scoring goals, too. So that doesn’t end up being remembered very much.
“But when you take a game where the team draws or loses, we end up not being able to score any goals, then the striker subject always comes up.
"This is normal, it’s always when there is a game that the team cannot score goals or win, this question will come out about a striker. But I think our team is doing well the way it is."
