Pep Guardiola has praised Stefan Ortega ahead of the goalkeeper potentially starting for Manchester City tonight.

Whilst Arsenal are focusing on their Premier League clash with Everton this week, City are looking at the FA Cup.

Guardiola’s men will be travelling to Ashton Gate to take on Championship side Bristol City tonight.

City will of course be heavy favourites but Guardiola will surely rotate his team.

The likes of Sergio Gomez, Kalvin Phillips, Cole Palmer and maybe even new signing Maximo Perrone could feature.

Then there is goalkeeper Ortega, who is primed to start ahead of first-choice stopper Ederson.

PEP GUARDIOLA HAILS MANCHESTER CITY STOPPER STEFAN ORTEGA

Ortega joined City on a free transfer from Arminia Bielefeld last summer.

The German stopper had impressed in two spells at Bielefeld as well as with 1860 Munich.

Whilst Ortega was one of the Bundesliga’s top goalkeepers last season, he decided to trade in a regular starting role for becoming second-choice at City.

Ortega is yet to start a Premier League game for City with Ederson the undoubted first-choice stopper at the Etihad Stadium.

Still, Ortega has managed seven appearances in other competition and will now make it eight tonight.

Guardiola has already told City’s official website that Ortega will start against Bristol City tonight.

Guardiola added that he thinks Ortega is truly ‘exceptional’ and is actually pushing Ederson very hard for the number one jersey at City.

The City boss heaped praise on Ortega for his Champions League performances and is looking for more of the same tonight.

“Yes [he’ll play]. [He’s pushing Ederson] a lot. A lot,” said Guardiola. “The way he’s played in Carabao Cup and FA Cup so far. Even in the Champions League when he played against Dortmund. We were qualified but fighting for the first position. He’s an exceptional goalkeeper. Exceptional,” he added.

Ortega is unlikely to ever really displace Ederson as first-choice goalkeeper at City but having a quality backup is vital.

The 30-year-old is serving that role well and City will feel they secured a real bargain in Ortega last summer.

Manchester City open talks with central defender over improved contract following Chelsea snub

Nathan Ake is in talks with Manchester City over a new contract after his stellar displays this season, according to a new report.

The Netherlands international, who joined City from Bournemouth in 2020, has amassed 28 appearances across all competitions already this season.

Ake’s versatility and consistency since the start of the season have seen him operate at centre-back as well as left-back, where he has flourished and provided a sense of stability amidst City’s notable struggles in the position.

After being a bit-part player largely in his first season at the Etihad Stadium, the 28-year-old proved crucial for Pep Guardiola’s side in their title run-in and journey to the Champions League semi-final.

The former Chelsea man has enjoyed a brilliant season in the north-west so far and has been one of Guardiola’s most reliable outlets in defence, despite the depth possessed by the Catalan across the backline, bolstered by the deadline day arrival of Manuel Akanji from Borussia Dortmund last summer.

Competition for places is as tough as it gets at Manchester City, who have seen 18-year-old Rico Lewis rise as a key first-team player this season, keeping the likes of Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo on the bench for weeks, before the latter joined Bayern Munich on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

Ake has remained patient when others have been given the nod but is now fully reaping the rewards as Manchester City search for a third consecutive Premier League title and a maiden Champions League crown this season.

The Dutch centre-half started City’s recent 4-1 triumph against his former side Bournemouth at left-back, playing a key role in the move that resulted in Erling Haaland’s 27th league goal of the season.

According to a new report by Football Insider, Ake has begun talks with Manchester City over an improved contract at the Etihad Stadium.

Chelsea were interested in bringing Ake back to Stamford Bridge last summer, with the two-time Premier League winner understood to have been open to the switch owing to the prospect of regular game time.

However, a potential move collapsed and Ake has since starred for City and is on course to enjoy his best season in sky blue.

Despite Ake’s convincing showings on the left side of defence over the last two years, City could look to re-enter the market for a natural left-back at the end of the season after Sergio Gomez’s struggles since he joined from RSC Anderlecht last summer.

Source: hitc.com; cityxtra.co.uk