Our Brazilian number one has enjoyed another stellar season with the Club and has proved a vital component in both City’s 2020/21 Premier League title success as well as our passage through to next week’s Champions League final.
Ederson’s prowess has also seen him retain the prestigious Premier League Golden Glove award, which is given to the goalkeeper with most top-flight clean sheets.
Last season, Ederson became the first City goalkeeper since Joe Hart in 2014/15 to win the award after keeping 16 clean sheets.
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And with one game to go this term, the 27-year has already surpassed that figure having achieved a remarkable 18 shut-outs from 35 appearances to date to retain the Golden Glove.
But, for former City and England number one Corrigan, it’s Ederson’s all-round technical ability, composure on the ball and superb footballing skills that have helped truly mark him out.
And Joe believes that in his four years at the Club since joining us from Benfica in the summer of 2017, Ederson has helped to transform the way goalkeepers operate – not only at City but across the country as a whole
“In the way that City play I think that he’s amazing,” declared Corrigan who racked up more 600 appearances for the Club over the course of a distinguished career that spanned three decades.
“Ederson’s not only confident with playing the ball out from the back short but he’s got the vision and passing ability to play the ball as long as he wants too.
“He can pick out a pass as we have seen over the past few years. He sees players making runs and can find the long-range pass as we saw that assist for Sergio Aguero against Huddersfield a couple of years ago. It was amazing.
“If I had tried that my back would have split!
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“I scout for the Club and to see, as I do at junior level, all the keepers trying to play out from the back it’s just great to see. It has been transformative.
“Obviously, there are some keepers who don’t have Ederson’s ability and they can look red-faced trying to execute that sometimes.
“But I think it makes the game a lot better in regards that you are looking to play from the back and not looking for the long ball.
“Ederson has got the ability to execute a precise pass. It’s not a long punt, it’s a pin-point pass and gives another outlet to the side’s attacking ability.
“He’s got such a tremendous left foot, it makes the opposition coaches think: ‘Well, if we press he can pick that pass to alleviate the pressure and with the players City have upfront with pace and ability they will hurt us, but if we don’t press high City can play from the back to any areas.’
“He can pick short, medium and long-range passes. It’s absolutely remarkable.”
Ederson and City’s collective defensive qualities have garnered widespread praise this term for their outstanding displays both domestically and in Europe.
City have conceded just 32 goals from 37 games in the Premier League – less than any other side – while in Europe we have shipped just four times in 12 games en route to the final
And Corrigan believes the catalyst for those superb performances has been the philosophy and inspiration of manager Pep Guardiola – allied to the quality, mindset and application of the City squad.
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“If you want to play that way we do, what you have to have available is not only a goalkeeper that has that ability but also the defenders that are knowledgeable and confident enough to give the ball to the right position at the time and who can then move and make different angles,” Corrigan added.
“That’s the thing Pep has got with the squad.
“He’s not only the changed the goalkeeping side of things, but the way the whole side responds to the ball when it is played back to the keeper.
“But because Pep has changed the whole idea and concepts of how we play, you need a goalkeeper and a back four to be able to be confident to give the ball to the keeper and respond to what the keeper does next.”
Corrigan also highlighted what he believes is another key – but overlooked - part of Ederson’s goalkeeping armoury, his superb focus and attention to detail across all 90 minutes of a game.
“His concentration levels also have to be so acute too,” Joe added.
“In a lot of games, Ederson doesn’t have that much to do but when he does, he does it really well.
“That is another vital skill-set for a goalkeeper.
“Some of the hardest games I ever played - and the likes of your Peter Shiltons and Ray Clemences always said the same - meant that you came off the pitch more tired when you had little to do as you were always concentrating.
“It’s hard, hard work as one slip and it’s a goal. But Ederson does it so well.”
