Gianluigi Donnarumma poses a challenging decision for Pep Guardiola ahead of the eagerly-awaited Manchester derby this weekend. The Italian shot-stopper, signed by Manchester City from Paris Saint-Germain for a tidy sum of £26 million, is poised for his debut in English football against bitter rivals Manchester United.
Fresh from his trophy-laden spell at PSG, where he played a pivotal role in their historic Treble-winning campaign of 2024/25, Donnarumma’s arrival brings a blend of talent and concern. His move to the Etihad came about after failed contract negotiations left him on the cusp of leaving PSG with ten months remaining on his deal. As a result, City benefit from PSG’s loss, but Guardiola faces a familiar conundrum.
The Spanish tactician also acquired the services of 22-year-old James Trafford during the summer. Trafford has been the starting goalkeeper for all three of City’s Premier League clashes thus far. However, recent slip-ups, including a critical error that led to a goal in the home defeat against Tottenham Hotspur, could see Guardiola opt for the seasoned Donnarumma for the significant clash against United.
The Italian keeper, 26, has seen limited action recently. His first match since mid-July was an international fixture against Estonia, in which he kept a clean sheet. Against Israel, however, Donnarumma looked less assured, conceding four goals in a nail-biting 5-4 victory for Italy. His performance has drawn mixed reviews across the European press, igniting debates over whether he is prepared for the cauldron-like atmosphere of a Manchester derby.
The British press, reflecting on his fluctuating performance, speculates that despite the challenging bout against Israel, Donnarumma may well start against United. Meanwhile, the Italian media have not been kind, with many outlets delivering harsh critiques of his performance against Israel. Yet some did acknowledge his crucial saves that helped tilt the balance in Italy’s favour.
Donnarumma, it seems, has a point to prove as he looks to silence critics and convince Guardiola that he is the right man to guard City’s net in perhaps the most high-stakes introduction to the Premier League one could wish for. As Manchester braces itself for this epic clash, all eyes will be on Donnarumma, ready to judge whether City’s gamble pays off.*
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