City's goalkeeper roulette lands on Italy's No 1

Gianluigi Donnarumma may not be the modish hybrid wanted from today's keepers but he is still a proven winner

- John Brewin

Signing a goalkeeper with a reputation as lofty as Gianluigi Donnarumma would usually register as a powerful statement of intent, but Manchester City's addition of Italy's Euro 2020 hero, the keeper whose saves guided Paris Saint-Germain to a first Champions League last season, has been met with a rather mixed reaction.

City's troubled start to the season adds confusion, so too Pep Guardiola's case history with goalkeepers. Ederson was beloved by City fans for being a maverick and played a key role in the team's serial title wins. Just 32, relatively young for players in his position, a dalliance with a move to Saudi Arabia last year and the interest of Fenerbahce – the club he has joined – hastened his exit.

That Stefan Ortega, a lesser keeper, was turned to last season by Guardiola suggested terminal frustrations from someone for whom Ederson's mix of ball-playing ability and acrobatic saves was once ideal. James Trafford's summer return to City from Burnley for a not inconsiderable fee of £27m also foretold the Brazilian's exit. Trafford's struggles so far, in defeats to Tottenham and Brighton, appear to have forced City's hand into doing a deal because it could be done rather than it making complete sense.