25 | Gianluigi Donnarumma - 2025/26

[AK45]

Where's all the cunts now in the media, who were saying he was a bad signing and wouldn't fit in here, as he couldn't play with his feet?

Half of them was on this thread, as well as he is rubbish at crosses. He has commanded the area brilliantly since his arrival.

Let's be clear.

Donnarumma brings a skill set that's miles apart from Ederson.

Donnarumma is by far the better shot stopper - but by equal measure, the far worse on ball.

Under Donnarumma our defense has improved - but out ability to build from the back is worse.

As a result our strategy isn't fixed- sometimes this (park the bus) - sometimes that (high line, ball control). We've lost a clear identity and focus, IMO. I can't see how this is a winning formula in the long run. This isn't a criticism against Donnarumma who is world class at shot stopping - but rather a critique of our management/signings.

That identity was a shambles last season and whilst I didn't rate Ederson as a shot stopper, he wasn't to blame for last season. That identity was boring and predictable that teams had worked out quite comfortably. I don't see it as a bad thing that we will play different ways now and it is a positive being more direct too. Mixing it up makes you less predictable.

 

[Semper aggressus]

Not arsed about a keeper getting assists, or passing it around at the back . He’s there to stop the opponent scoring. He’s the best in the world at that. Absolutely brilliant signing.

 

[Goater101]

Not arsed about a keeper getting assists, or passing it around at the back . He’s there to stop the opponent scoring. He’s the best in the world at that. Absolutely brilliant signing.

Spot on mate. It’s almost like that’s the fundamental role of a goalkeeper. Just like as a striker your role is to score the goals but the media love to criticise Erling. We’re v lucky we have both.

 

[HelloCity]

 

[jamielowndes]

Ok.
You’re entitled to your opinion.
Let’s leave it at that.
He’s a great signing.
We look far better defensively than we have done in a long time.
Ederson is a club legend, but he’s gone.
GD is our future and I can see it being a trophy laden future.
CTID

Im probably Edersons biggest fan on here but you're right, you move with what you have.

Your identity as a team changes as per your personnel.

Ederson is the greatest Man City keeper in history. But if he stays long term, you have to think Gigi overtakes him.

 

[jamielowndes]

Not arsed about a keeper getting assists, or passing it around at the back . He’s there to stop the opponent scoring. He’s the best in the world at that. Absolutely brilliant signing.

If you have a keeper that can do the attacking stuff, it's a great thing to have.

If you have a keeper that's a giant Italian tree that provides a rock solid last line of defence, its also a great thing to have.

It still blows me away that people wanted to pass on him because he wasn't Ederson at feet.

You can always win the ball back further up the field. Having a goalkeeper that's a playmaker is a great thing to have, but we're OK without it. And he's only 26, they can develop his footwork with the ball.

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

Who was in goal last season when we were playing crap absolutely all over the pitch?

Seem to remember our build up from the back being horrendous without a decent DM being in place.

This season, we've seen a Rodri no where near full fitness.

I also remember Donnarumma being in goal for PSG playing amazing football as they won the treble last season - and also for Italy when they played out from the back and won the Euros.

Tbh, I don't know why I'm responding. You've basically admitted your views come from random youtubers and considering your 'disaster signing' comments, you're hardly going to admit you were wrong at this point.

Actually I'll admit I was wrong. I didn't see how Donnarumma would fit into our system at all. But Pep has adapted - playing much more defensively against teams that high press to the extent that we cede overall possession - sometimes by a large margin when doing so. I labeled the Donnarumma signing as a disaster predicated on the assumption that Pep would maintain a ball control philosophy no matter what - which is what he's done throughout his entire managerial career... until now.

As for "random youtubers" pointing out that Donnarumma isn't good on the ball...
1) The Athletic - among other such;
2) FourFourTwo - https://www.fourfourtwo.com/feature...apted-his-philosophy-for-gianluigi-donnarumma - among numerous other such;

Those two sites have the biggest credentials in football analysis of the sites that I regularly watch... but lessor watched sites, while still excellent, offer the same conclusion. Donnarumma himself has admitted that he's not great on the ball. Moreover, no reputable football site thought that the signing of Donnarumma was a fit for City - the universal analysis was that Donnarumma is a great shot stopper who isn't good on the ball... and since he wasn't good on the ball, no reputable analyst thought that Donnarumma fit City... not one reputable site.

In short, there's no credible site claiming that Donnarumma is good on the ball - at all. And Pep, until now, has valued ball possession and control of the game paramount. Donnarumma is a departure from that style.

And for the record - each season I purchase a shirt for my favorite signing of the year. This year, it's Donnarumma. Why? Because not only is he great at shot stopping, he's a great leader and most important of all, puts the team first.

That said... I wish we had the personnel to play like PSG - high press, ball control, gifted passers and press resistant players at every position including the keeper - in the end, I think that this is the best style of play. For example, against Barca who pressed PSG high in the recent C/L playoffs, Barca was dominant initially and scored. But Barca couldn't maintain this level of pressure for the full game - as pressure dropped, PSG gained control of the game and came away with the win.

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

Are you sure you are replying to the correct person ? I never made a quote " silencing the haters" I asked you to name a goalkeeper who is good with his feet and maintain our identity and focus, that you want in the team . So what is the name ?

Blah... misattribution. If you scroll above you'll see the "silencing the haters" post I meant to quote.

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

I agree with you on several points, but for me the difficulties in getting the ball out from behind is not only due to Donnarumma, for at least two years we have been going backwards in this area, even before the arrival of the Italian, and it is due to several factors, the loss of technicality of the entire team, departure or regression of certain players (Laporte, Gundogan, Bernardo, KDB, Cancelo, Mahrez...) and also the rise in power of opponents who have progressed in pressing and who are no longer afraid to come and get you very high up like the team of Iraola, Kalsner, Emery... very good coaches tactically

Regarding Donnarumma, he's made a lot of progress with his feet in two years with Luis Enrique. He's 26 years old, and there's no reason not to continue his progression with Pep. He's only been there for a few weeks. Over time, he'll work with the team on his ball-release techniques, and it can only get better. Other elements that give me optimism on this point include Rodri's return to form in the future, as well as Kovacic and Cherki, bold players who don't hesitate to come forward and ask for the ball and who have great technical ability to cope under pressure. Improving the squad next summer with a truly skilled right-back can only improve things. Right now, the team needs to win, so score goals and not concede; the rest will follow.

Agree.

And yet... is this new direction - sometimes high line, ball control, hopefully good enough press to protect the high line - at other times, ceding possession - to the extent that we park the bus - because our players aren't good enough to retain ball control and playing out from the back is far too dangerous... is this a strategy that will lead us to win the P/L or the C/L? Or is it making the best of our squad... finishing as high as we can in the P/L and the C/L but not at all favorites to win either competition?

And if this is a "making the best of our situation and our players season"... what next? What is our identity going forward? Is Pep going to soon take a sabbatical from football - and if so, whom will we hire and what will our direction be under our new manager?

In sum, our side is in flux. We're rebuilding. We're playing different styles against different opponents. And our long standing manager will probably leave our side shortly. It's a very, very chaotic situation.

 

[Paul1970]

Actually I'll admit I was wrong. I didn't see how Donnarumma would fit into our system at all. But Pep has adapted - playing much more defensively against teams that high press to the extent that we cede overall possession - sometimes by a large margin when doing so. I labeled the Donnarumma signing as a disaster predicated on the assumption that Pep would maintain a ball control philosophy no matter what - which is what he's done throughout his entire managerial career... until now.

As for "random youtubers" pointing out that Donnarumma isn't good on the ball...
1) The Athletic - among other such;
2) FourFourTwo - https://www.fourfourtwo.com/feature...apted-his-philosophy-for-gianluigi-donnarumma - among numerous other such;

Those two sites have the biggest credentials in football analysis of the sites that I regularly watch... but lessor watched sites, while still excellent, offer the same conclusion. Donnarumma himself has admitted that he's not great on the ball. Moreover, no reputable football site thought that the signing of Donnarumma was a fit for City - the universal analysis was that Donnarumma is a great shot stopper who isn't good on the ball... and since he wasn't good on the ball, no reputable analyst thought that Donnarumma fit City... not one reputable site.

In short, there's no credible site claiming that Donnarumma is good on the ball - at all. And Pep, until now, has valued ball possession and control of the game paramount. Donnarumma is a departure from that style.

And for the record - each season I purchase a shirt for my favorite signing of the year. This year, it's Donnarumma. Why? Because not only is he great at shot stopping, he's a great leader and most important of all, puts the team first.

That said... I wish we had the personnel to play like PSG - high press, ball control, gifted passers and press resistant players at every position including the keeper - in the end, I think that this is the best style of play. For example, against Barca who pressed PSG high in the recent C/L playoffs, Barca was dominant initially and scored. But Barca couldn't maintain this level of pressure for the full game - as pressure dropped, PSG gained control of the game and came away with the win.

Fair play for admitting you got it wrong mate . In remember saying when we sugned him that we would have to change our way and I doubted it pep would do it but he has suorused me and I admit I got that wrong .

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

Fair play for admitting you got it wrong mate . In remember saying when we sugned him that we would have to change our way and I doubted it pep would do it but he has suorused me and I admit I got that wrong .

Cheers.

I call it as I see it. And if I'm wrong - I try not to get emotionally invested in my errant response - and am hopefully able to admit I was wrong.

 

[Shirley]

Im probably Edersons biggest fan on here but you're right, you move with what you have.

Your identity as a team changes as per your personnel.

Ederson is the greatest Man City keeper in history. But if he stays long term, you have to think Gigi overtakes him.

Greatest Man City keeper in history…..Frank and Bert would have a big say in that!

 

[Le Havre Oswald]

Greatest Man City keeper in history…..Frank and Bert would have a big say in that!

Eike Immel says hi

​

 

[jamielowndes]

Greatest Man City keeper in history…..Frank and Bert would have a big say in that!

Not trying to open a can of worms here especially on Donnarummas thread but Ederson is by far the most accomplished keeper we have on a team and individual level.

Plus, as much as people talk about the old greats (and they should be given their respect), how many Frank Swift or Bert Trautmann games has anyone here seen excluding Trautmanns Cup final? We're comparing measurable accomplishments in a much better era of talent and athleticism vs what's basically passed down lore of an era where a player like Jeremy Doku or Leroy Sane would have been arrested for witchcraft.

The clubs most decorated spell in history almost entirely involves Ederson as the starting GK to the point where we had people questioning the signing of a UCL and European Championship winning GK who has started 10 years in top flight football since he was 16 because he didnt fit Edersons mould. I dont think it's a controversial statement to say he's the best we've ever had.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

Not trying to open a can of worms here especially on Donnarummas thread but Ederson is by far the most accomplished keeper we have on a team and individual level.

You've told us already you're Ederson's biggest fan.

 

[jamielowndes]

You've told us already you're Ederson's biggest fan.

I'm not disputing that.

But you arent disputing anything I've actually said.

If the argument was about Vincent Kompany and Billy Meredith, the same logic would stand.

 

[SWP's back]

Cheers.

I call it as I see it. And if I'm wrong - I try not to get emotionally invested in my errant response - and am hopefully able to admit I was wrong.

Fair play for admitting you were wrong. I’ll take you off ignore now.

 

[TinFoilHat]

He's no Barry Sidell...

 

[jamielowndes]

He's no Barry Sidell...

Arni Arason in the 2nd half of a game we're losing has to be included in the conversation too.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

I'm not disputing that.

But you arent disputing anything I've actually said.

If the argument was about Vincent Kompany and Billy Meredith, the same logic would stand.

I think Donnaruma is a superior keeper to Ederson but happy to have had both.
Thats just my personal viewpoint.
Just don't understand why you bring Ederson up on the Donnaruma thread.