Pep Guardiola does things slightly differently.
City’s goalkeeper Ederson is probably the best representation of how the Spaniard sees the game in a different light.
Traditional goalkeepers are big voices in the dressing room, make saves and generally kick the ball as far as they can away from the danger zone.
CLAIM YOUR FREE £20 BET Sun Bets are offering this great offer when you sign up and bet a fiver
But that is almost the direct opposite of how Pep wants Ederson to play the game.
And my word he proved it in City’s 4-1 romp against Spurs at the Etihad yesterday evening.
City opened up a 14-point lead in the race for the Premier League, I’ll just let that sink in.
He was unfortunate not to keep a clean sheet, as Christian Eriksen slotted from the edge of the box in the 93rd minute.
But the rest of his game showed a true devotion to Guardiola’s ideology.
The Portuguese shot stopper completed 26 passes during the game, acting almost as the deepest of deep lying playmakers.
Incredibly, his 26 completed passes were more than either Eriksen (21) or Dele Alli (14) could muster playing in midfield.
PLAY DREAM TEAM WEEKENDER Pick seven players to win 10k!
When a keeper is making more passes than the opposition’s most creative midfield players you know Pep’s side are dominating nearly every aspect of the game.
There was general outcry when the former Barcelona gaffer didn’t even give Joe Hart a chance to show he could play this role.
But seeing as Hart has just been dropped from a West Ham side suffering at the bottom of the table, it looks like a masterstroke now.
We were wrong to question you, Pep.
READ MORE:
- A hipster’s guide to the most interesting XI at the 2018 World Cup
- 9 moments that make Chelsea vs Barcelona a true Champions League classic
- Why David Silva should be considered one of the Premier League’s best ever midfielders