Donnarumma’s signing shows Guardiola’s City concerns

Manchester City’s late swoop for Gianluigi Donnarumma on deadline day has underlined Pep Guardiola’s concerns about his team’s early-season struggles.

With long-time number one Ederson sold to Fenerbahce, City moved quickly to secure the Italy international from Paris St-Germain in a £26m deal, adding further pressure to young goalkeeper James Trafford.

Trafford, a £27m summer signing from Burnley, had started City’s first three games of the campaign. He impressed in the opening-day 4-0 victory over Wolves but looked unsteady in defeats to Tottenham and Brighton, where City squandered a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 on Sunday. 

Guardiola admitted his side “stopped playing” after conceding, a lapse that exposed wider defensive issues. The arrival of Donnarumma adds experience and leadership to a squad currently missing senior figures such as Kevin de Bruyne, Kyle Walker, and Jack Grealish.

The 26-year-old, who won the Treble with PSG last season and famously denied England in the Euro 2020 final, is regarded as one of the world’s best shot-stoppers. However, questions remain over his distribution – a key part of Guardiola’s system that Ederson had perfected.

Former City keepers have highlighted the scale of the challenge. Joe Hart said City’s problems were “a difficult moment” rather than a crisis, while Peter Schmeichel stressed that no goalkeeper could replicate Ederson’s unique ability to launch attacks from the back. 

During eight years in Manchester, the Brazilian transformed the role, winning six league titles and providing eight assists.

Trafford’s future, meanwhile, is not considered under threat. Club insiders believe the 22-year-old has an “amazing” long-term future at City, and with four competitions to navigate, he is expected to receive opportunities across the season. 

His early performances showed promise, even if inconsistency remains a factor at this stage of his development.

Guardiola’s immediate challenge is whether to trust Trafford in the Manchester derby on 14 September or to hand Donnarumma an instant debut.

With City sitting behind rivals United in the table, the decision could prove pivotal in shaping the direction of their season and in determining whether Guardiola finds himself in a manager’s crisis in Manchester.