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Gianluigi Donnarumma was one of Manchester City’s most surprising signings of the season, but will he make his debut against Manchester United?
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Gianluigi Donnarumma to Manchester City was a transfer even the most informed transfer journalist could not have foreseen at the beginning of this summer. The towering Italian gloveman – ranked at no. 1 in Four Four Two's list of the best goalkeepers in the world right now – ended last season on a high, clinching the Champions League title for the first time with Paris Saint-Germain. But despite that success, Luis Enrique decided he wanted a “different profile” between the sticks, a decision Les Parisiens’ boss states was entirely his.
Even with that truth, the Etihad Stadium was an unlikely destination, given Pep Guardiola’s side had just forked out an initial £27m to bring James Trafford back to the club. Nevertheless, another £26m later, Donnarumma is a Sky Blue, and as potential first assignments go, they don’t come much bigger.
City welcome bitter rivals Manchester United in what is Donnarumma’s first opportunity to turn out for his new team. The Italian was signed at the beginning of September, and as such will have been registered to City’s squad in plenty of time to be available for selection this weekend. The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. There may have been some doubts over his game-readiness, given how things ended with PSG, but he completed two full 90 minutes for Italy over the international break, in their wins over Estonia and Israel. With Ederson having been sold to Fenerbahce on the same day as Donnarumma’s move, it will be between the former PSG man and Trafford for the no. 1 spot, making Guardiola’s selection on Sunday an interesting topic of discussion.
In Four Four Two’s opinion, while Donnarumma certainly can start the Manchester derby, whether he will is less certain. Aside from a passing error which led to a goal against Tottenham Hotspur, Trafford has made a promising start to life back at City, and being dropped would feel harsh. With his on-ball abilities, he is certainly closer to the Guardiola mould. However, Donnarumma is undoubtedly the more experienced of the two, having just come off the back of a Champions League-winning season, whilst also being Italy’s no. 1. On account of their differing styles, it could all come down to how Guardiola wants to approach the game on the day. Donnarumma is valued at €40m, according to Transfermarkt. City next face United at the Etihad, when Premier League action returns this weekend. Isaac Stacey Stronge is a freelance football writer working for Four Four Two, Manchester United and Football League World. He has been a season ticket holder at Stockport County throughout the Hatters’ meteoric rise from the National League North to League One and is a die-hard Paddy Madden fan. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
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