The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will finish in mid-December with the final being played just one week before Christmas. Manchester City are due to play Liverpool in the EFL Cup quarter-final just four days later on December 22, so Pep Guardiola may have to ring the changes to allow his players a rest.
Man City have 16 first-team players in Qatar and have at least one representative in all nine of the pre-tournament favourites. If City’s cup clash with Liverpool isn’t pushed back, Guardiola might have to consider his second string. If Brazil go all the way, for example, Ederson might be rested for Stefan Ortega.
The 30-year-old impressed in City’s third-round win over Chelsea and has put in great performances every time he’s been called upon, so Guardiola won’t hesitate to have him deputise for Ederson.
Ortega has made three appearances in all competitions since joining on a three-year deal from Arminia Bielefeld, boasting two wins and a draw while conceding just one goal.
He wasn’t selected in Germany’s World Cup squad due to Manuel Neuer, Kevin Trapp and Marc-Andre ter Stegen getting the nod, so Ortega will be fresh to feature when the domestic campaign resumes.
In other news, Pep Guardiola can’t sell Man City player despite ‘heart set on leaving’ claim
The Vital Network is unique from other football content providers as all the sites are run by the fans, for the fans. We are looking for a writer to join our Manchester City site. If you can write well-constructed, thought-provoking opinion pieces alongside reporting on current events and breaking news then I want to hear from you. Email paddy@snack-media.com.
Can you name these Man City players from the 2000s? Test your knowledge, take the quiz and challenge your friends and family to beat your score