Pep Guardiola was eager to bring Gianluigi Donnarumma to Manchester City and that is an exciting prospect | OneFootball

Manchester City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma on the final day of the summer transfer window. The Italian goalkeeper arrived at the club from PSG on the same day that Ederson left City for Fenerbahce. There is a school of thought that Donnarumma isn’t a good stylistic fit for a Pep Guardiola team. Whether or not that thought proves to be true remains to be seen.

Gianluigi Donnarumma has spoken for the first time about his move to Manchester City. He revealed that Pep Guardiola played a key role in his signing for City. It will be of great interest to see how if Guardiola can help elevate Donnarumma as a player.

Gianluigi Donnarumma is excited to be managed by Pep Guardiola and play for Manchester City.

Manchester City’s new goalkeeper addressed the media ahead of Italy’s upcoming World Cup qualifier against Estonia. Donnarumma addressed a host of issues. The Italian international was asked about his move to Manchester City. In quotes relayed by Lorenzo Bettoni for Football Italia, Donnarumma revealed that Manchester City and Pep Guardiola were eager to sign him. He explained: “I’ve always trained well and I couldn’t wait to join City because they really wanted me. The coach really wanted me, and that made me proud. To be wanted so strongly by the best club in the world makes me proud, but also very emotional and happy.”

Manchester City’s new signing also explained that being wanted by Pep Guardiola was a special feeling: “I’m calm. As I said before, when you are wanted so strongly by a club like City, it means you’ve worked well. Being wanted by one of the strongest coaches in the world like Guardiola is an indescribable emotion.”

Lastly, Gianluigi Donnarumma told the media that he believes he can further improve as a goalkeeper under Pep Guardiola’s tutelage. He explained: “I’m proud to be coached by Guardiola, who has won so much and is one of the best in the world. I can improve so much with him and achieve big satisfactions.”

How Manchester City’s new goalkeeper fits into Pep Guardiola’s side will be exciting to track.

With Ederson leaving Manchester City, there will be a significant change in goal at the club. James Trafford has started Manchester City’s first three games of the new season. So there is a glimpse of what the post-Ederson era will look like. Trafford isn’t as proficient with his feet, nor is Gianluigi Donnarumma. But no goalkeeper could replace what Ederson brought to City in possession and their build-up from the back. So, Donnarumma shouldn’t be expected to be Ederson. He needs to come in and continue to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world. There is no reason to think that he won’t.

That is where the excitement lies with Donnarumma as a Manchester City goalkeeper. Further excitement lies with how Pep Guardiola can improve the Italian international as a player. In terms of shot-stopping and playing in big moments and matches, there aren’t many, if any, better than Donnarumma. If Pep Guardiola can help him improve even further, City will have a premier goalkeeper on their hands. That proposition is what makes Donnarumma’s arrival at Manchester City so exciting.

Gianluigi Donnarumma has shared his excitement at signing for Manchester City and playing under Pep Guardiola. If his performances can match his excitement then City will have a dominant goalkeeper on their hands. That is what it is hoped for now that the Italian international has signed for Manchester City.