Pep so happy Blues did not lose their Ed

PEP Guardiola is reaping the benefits of other clubs failing to appreciate the 'real' value of Ederson.

- SIMON BAJKOWSKI

City's goalkeeper was their best player against Fulham, bailing them out a number of times in an uncomfortable 3-2 win at the Etihad to keep them tucked in behind Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table going into the international break.

But the Brazilian may not have been in Manchester this season if transfer interest from AI Nassr or AI Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League had manifested into a serious offer. Ederson felt undervalued at the Etihad at the time, with Stefan Ortega winning plaudits for his 'save of the season' from Son Heung-min in the penultimate game against Tottenham after City's No.1 had been forced off against his wishes - with a fractured eye socket.

The goalkeeper's family were open to a new challenge and Guardiola feared he would lose the player despite making it publicly clear he remained his preferred choice as well as trying to convince him privately.