Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed why he substituted Ederson Moraes during his side’s 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur.
Ederson had sustained a facial injury and he was undergoing treatment for several minutes after Tottenham defender Cristian Romero barged into him in an attempt to score a goal.
A stretcher was prepared to take the £35 million man off the pitch but he felt he was ready to keep playing.
Guardiola shares what the doctor told him when Ederson got injured
Ederson took a goal kick right after receiving treatment and lost his footing.
The 30-year-old did not look at ease after his injury.
But when Guardiola decided to take the treble-winner off, he was visibly distraught as he wanted to remain on the pitch.
After Manchester City beat Tottenham, Pep Guardiola gave an insight into why he decided to take Ederson off.
Speaking to beIN SPORTS after the game, Guardiola revealed: “He wanted to continue, that means a lot to us but at the same time, [he] had a kick in the eye, swollen and that’s why the doctor came to me and said to me, he has to be replaced because he cannot see properly so that’s what it is.”
The Man City doctor made the right decision against Tottenham
A player’s priority is to always continue playing, regardless of the seriousness of the injury they suffer during a big game.
However, to simply let them do so could potentially endanger their safety.
Ederson perhaps felt he could play through the pain but the Manchester City doctor made a sensible decision against Tottenham by informing Pep Guardiola about his condition.
The former Benfica goalkeeper was allowed to rest and instead, Stefan Ortega was brought on, who came to the visitors’ rescue.
Perhaps in hindsight, Ederson will understand why the decision to substitute him was justified on Tuesday.
The decorated goalkeeper must be hoping that he is deemed ready to start in between the sticks against West Ham on the final day of the season.