Usually at matches in UEFA competitions, attending journalists are allowed to watch 15 minutes of “open” training on the eve of a game before they and their prying eyes are herded away from the action.
That action generally consists of light jogging, some sprints and maybe a bit of passing. Personally, I’ve always felt flattered that elite coaches fear the likes of me might stumble upon a genius tactical plan.
I can’t speak for all colleagues, but it’s unquestionably a massive overestimation of my footballing intellect.
Anyway, this charade of booting out potential opposition spies could not take place ahead of last season’s Champions League final in Porto between Manchester City and Chelsea, given shoving dozens of the press pack towards small exits didn’t represent a COVID-secure course of action.
It meant we enjoyed the privilege of watching elite footballers go through a few more gears at close quarters. City played an enjoyably intense inter-squad game that marked the final time Sergio Aguero scored with the club badge on his kit.
Joao Cancelo netted a screamer and I and no one else present picked up that Pep Guardiola would head into the showpiece without a specialist defensive midfielder. I told you, the subterfuge is wasted on us.
After the game broke up, the players split off into other activities and the goalkeepers went to work at the end of the Estadio do Dragao where Kai Havertz would score his winner a little over 24 hours later.
Then, Ederson started taking penalties. Lots of them.
Time and again from 12 yards, the Brazil international dispatched the ball unerringly into the net. These weren’t just lucky kicks, either.
Ederson struck plenty of them very hard, including one where Scott Carson was rooted as the ball flew past him into the top corner. But there was also clever placement and a nonchalant sidefoot.
In all, he scored 10 out of 11 - a far better ratio than any of his teammates can boast in matches.
Now he has signed a new five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium, it is time to give the fans what they want. Pep: get Ederson on penalties.
Never mind City fans, come to think of it. What about FPL players? A few of those frequent fouls on Jack Grealish and you’ll have more fantasy points than Ederson has tattoos.
Guardiola has previously said Ederson is the best penalty taker at the club, but believes him taking spot-kicks in games would show a lack of respect to opponents. This is all well and good until you consider Aguero’s diabolical ‘Panenka’ against Chelsea in the Premier League last season.
Kevin De Bruyne has scored high-pressure spot-kicks, such as his decisive strike against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in February 2020. But he has also missed, most notably versus Liverpool.
Of course, he is not alone there. Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan have also done that in City’s biggest domestic game of recent seasons against Jurgen Klopp's men. All three didn’t even manage to hit the target.
In a parallel situation to having a goalkeeper on penalties, City finished their 2019 Champions League game against Atalanta with Kyle Walker in net. Ederson got injured and replacement Claudio Bravo was sent off. Before all that mayhem, Gabriel Jesus scuffed wide with one of the worst attempts from 12 yards you’ve ever seen.
Think of how wretched England’s penalties were when suffering Euro 2020 heartbreak against Italy. Then consider how Gareth Southgate didn’t think Grealish or Raheem Sterling were among his best five takers. Going off the evidence of Sterling’s penalties for City, the England boss got that one right.
Ederson has won eight major trophies, revolutionised Premier League goalkeeping and even has a terrace chant to the tune of an Oasis song in his honour. He’s a City hero for life and Guardiola should let him embellish his legend by taking up those all-important duties from 12 yards.
Who do you think should take City's penalties? Follow our City Fan Brands Editor Dom Farrell on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
