Ederson tipped to join De Gea among global elite following Manchester derby heroics

Ederson is capable of challenging the likes of David de Gea for the title of best goalkeeper in world football, says Manchester City team-mate Kyle Walker.

The Brazilian moved to England over the summer as part of a big-money rebuilding project at the Etihad Stadium.

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With Pep Guardiola eager to find a ball-playing keeper to complete his side, £35 million was spent luring the 24-year-old away from Benfica.

Ederson has impressed during his short time at City, with an eye-catching display against Manchester United in his last outing – which included a crucial double save to deny Romelu Lukaku and Juan Mata – convincing Walker that his colleague is destined for the top.

Asked by City TV where the Brazilian stands in the goalkeeping pecking order, Walker said: “He’s right up there.

“I’ve played with some good goalkeepers – Hugo Lloris is a top-class goalkeeper. De Gea, you can see he’s a world-class goalkeeper as well.

“But Ede, how young he is, the potential he has got and how he wants to learn each and every day, I think he can go right to the top.”

Ederson save Manchester United Manchester City Premier League 10122017

Ederson kept Lukaku at bay with his face during a 2-1 victory over United, while being alert enough to then stick out an arm to deny Mata.

It is not the first time that he has put his body on the line for the good of the City cause, with an infamous collision with Liverpool’s Sadio Mane back in September leaving him requiring stitches as he was offered an early lesson in how tough life in the Premier League can be.

He has, however, been able to answer all the questions asked of him so far to help Guardiola’s side pull 11 points clear at the top of the table.

City are now being billed as title winners in waiting, despite there still being some 22 games to come, but Walker insists nobody at the Etihad will be allowing complacency to set in.

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The England international added: “We need to keep working hard, keep preparing physically and mentally for each and every game.

“We’ve got an important one on Wednesday against Swansea and we just need to go and get the three points.”

On his first experience of the Manchester derby, a man who has previously graced similar occasions in Sheffield and north London said: “It was good. It’s always good when you’re winning. I’m buzzing.”

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