Donnarumma's experience and presence will only help City, says Pep | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola says the signing of goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma will help add even more vital big game experience and presence to the Manchester City squad.

The coveted Italian keeper joined the Club last week on summer transfer deadline day from Paris Saint-Germain, agreeing a five-year deal.

Donnarumma brings with him a wealth of experience from his time at AC Milan and more latterly Paris Saint-Germain with whom he helped lift the UEFA Champions League in May.

The 26-year-old’s arrival followed the capture of fellow goalkeepers James Trafford and Marcus Bettinelli earlier in the summer.

Addressing the media at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby, the boss spoke about the specific qualities that Donnuramma will bring to the squad.

But he also stressed that given the demands of a long, demanding season, there will be many opportunities for everyone to play and make a contribution.

“Gigi’s a 26-year-old with incredible experience,” Guardiola said.

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“He’s so tall and so huge. All the keepers want to save balls and give confidence to the team and personality and he’s a big presence on the bigger stages.

“He did it in the UEFA Champions League last season at Villa Park and Anfield.

“In many games he proved how good he is. He will concede goals that’s for sure, but we’re all going to try to help him.

“Gigi has great experience with big clubs and Italy. We are looking forward to having him.

“[James Trafford] is a keeper for Man City. The keepers I can only play one.

“I can play with two full backs and two centre backs during a game, but the season is so long.

“Now starts the real season with many games and everybody will be involved.

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“Now we have the potential of Gigi, of James and the players that we have and we will use them.

“It’s going to happen.”

While Donnarumma was sealing his move to the Etihad, City said farewell to Club legends Ilkay Gundogan and Ederson who both left on permanent deals to Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe respectively.

Meanwhile defender Manuel Akanji, another key member of the City side that won the Treble in 2023, joined Italian side Internazionale on a season-long loan deal.

For the boss, their individual contributions to the City cause will never, ever be forgotten.

“First of all, they deserve some words for Ederson, Gundo and Manu. It was unthinkable what we would have done without them,” Guardiola stressed.

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“Eddie helped us to create a special way and has been our keeper for the best decade for this club. Gundo is one of my best signings for the club [from] when I arrived.

“He’s a smart, intelligent player and Manu the same for different reasons.

“I wish personally all three of them all the best as they helped us become who we are.

“We had one or two seasons where Eddy thought he could take a different experience.

“At the end it happened, and the market gave us a chance to take Gigi [Donnarumma].

“He is a 26-year-old with incredible experience with the big clubs and with Italy.

“And we are looking forward to helping him.”