Stefan Ortega started two consecutive games for Manchester City – a 4-0 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup and a 2-0 defeat to Southampton in the EFL Cup – but he didn’t put in a great performance against the Saints and has ruined any chance of featuring in Saturday’s Manchester derby.
The 30-year-old has played second fiddle to Ederson since joining from Arminia Bielefeld over the summer, but Pep Guardiola has played him in every cup game and their last two Champions League outings. A great performance on Wednesday evening might have given Pep food for thought, but Ederson should come in for the German.
Ortega has made six appearances in all competitions for the Sky Blues, conceding five goals with three assists. The 30-year-old was having a good start to life in Manchester before being lobbed from distance against Southampton, so he now faces a test of character in his next outing.
Ortega is likely to feature in City’s FA Cup fourth-round clash with Arsenal on January 27, but time will tell if fans see him out on the pitch before.
In other news, Pep Guardiola won’t sell Joao Cancelo despite ‘uncertain future’ at Man City
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