The 23-year-old has the ability to launch accurate 90-yard passes from dead ball situations, often creating chances for strikers who can’t be offside from goal kicks.
He demonstrated his quality in preseason when he put Sergio Aguero clean through on the edge of the opposition penalty area in City’s game against Tottenham in Nashville – and he almost repeated the trick with Club teammate Jesus before Brazil’s final World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
“At the start of the game, I spoke with Gabriel and said that we could score from our first goal kick as Chile were making a lot of pressure,” he said.
“I was able to kick the ball to his back. Unfortunately, Gabriel wasn’t able to control the ball, but I am happy for him and for me, as he scored twice and we managed to help with the win”
Brazil were the first team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia after a nine-game winning run back in March, and their 3-0 win over Chile this week saw them finish 10 points clear of second-placed Uruguay in the South American qualifying table, adding gloss to an already-impressive campaign.
Tuesday’s game marked Ederson’s international debut, and the size of the occasion was not lost on the man who has conceded just two goals in his first nine games for City.
“I am very emotional after my debut with the National Team, in São Paulo in my hometown,” he said.
“I felt the warmth of the Brazilians. I am very happy with my debut and I’ll carry on working and if Tite calls me up again, hopefully I won’t disappoint.
“Something I always heard from my previous coach, clean sheets are half way to victories. If you don’t suffer goals, we are closer to winning the game, that’s what happened against Chile, we managed a clean sheet and we scored three goals.”
