The Blades will play Manchester City this weekend and have been boosted by the news that Claudio Bravo will now have to play instead of Ederson.
Ederson will be replaced by Claudio Bravo for City against the Blades. (Photo by Sam Bagnall – AMA/Getty Images)
Ederson was sent off as City all but handed Liverpool the title with a 3-2 loss at Wolves on Friday evening. After going 2-0 up after Ederson’s red, things fell apart for Pep Guardiola’s men at Molineux.
A late Matt Doherty goal sealed their fate and left them third in the Premier League table. Heading into Sunday’s clash with the Blades, Guardiola was already facing a tricky selection dilemma.
But now his plans have been thrown out further. With Ederson missing, he will now have to turn to Claudio Bravo. The former Barcelona man has not done too well in England.
SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
Furthermore, a couple of his statistics will have Sheffield United fans believing a shock could be on the cards.
What’s the story behind Bravo and his performances?
While Ederson is lauded for his brilliance, Bravo is often dubbed calamitous by the City faithful. Mistakes are a regular occurrence for the Chilean. Indeed, in his first season, despite only directly making one error to lead directly to a goal, he conceded 26 goals in his 22 appearances.
Claudio Bravo will now face the Blades in place of Ederson. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Amongst those 22 games, came only five clean sheets. Bravo also conceded 26 goals in those 22 appearances.
He didn’t play last season but has started twice this campaign in the Premier League. Once again, the signs are encouraging for Sheffield United. Bravo has lost both games this year. In those two losses, he’s conceded six goals.
This is a stark contrast to Ederson. The Brazilian has kept six clean sheets already, conceding only 17 times in 18 appearances.
While City will fancy themselves to beat the Blades, Claudio Bravo being included might just give the United strikers that bit of added encouragement.
