The projected US starting goalie sitting the bench for the next two years is pretty crappy news for everything except Steffan's bank account.
Spain's starting goalkeeper at the 2014 World Cup played 2 league matches in the season leading up to the tournament. It was Iker Casillas, granted, but it's not all that unusual when your nation's top goalkeeper is at a big club.
Sure, still less than ideal. Also, like you said that was Iker Casillas, a vastly experienced player at a high level for a very long time with an extensive trophy room. And, I'm not saying Zack will or won't still be our best shot, just that we'd be a lot better off with him actually playing somewhere. Our two European goalies are Zack and Horvath and neither of them get many games. That's a dangerous situation, especially considering they are both young players and not finished products. Also, I'm probably leaning too much toward us team talk, sorry.
That's the most likely, but it's not unknown for the GK in possession in the cups to keep possession all the way. It seems that City rate Steffen quite highly, so that is a distinct possibility
Pep dropped Bravo for Ederson for the League Cup final. I don't think he'd hesitate to do the same to Steffen.
The Total Soccer Show podcast has had some stuff on Steffen lately. A Dusseldorf coach said they regard Steffen as future world class. The hosts also have talked about hearing Man City plans on him being the starter down the line. And they knew he was going back to Manchester this year. So it could be informed source(s). Given that, this could be the right move.
y'all are very doom and gloom... There is going to be an inordinate amount of schedule congestion over the next year. I could see him picking up a spot start in the League against 17-20th place competition on occasion and then the cup matches. Not that I wish it upon him, but Ederson does get himself into some spots a normal goalkeeper doesn't that could lead to an injury. so ya never know. look at Liverpool this past campaign
Goalkeepers typically do not get rested for schedule congestion. Zack also doesn't have the foot skills to be a starter in Pep's system, in my opinion.
Unless Pep decides that the system needs some adjustments to make it slightly more direct. Jonathan Wilson, among others, is detecting a few signs that that's under consideration. Whether it happens is another matter. And, in any case, where better to acquire those foot skills than at the feet of the master??
People worried about not getting minutes for City ... if the national team schedule picks back up, and we give him most of those games, he'll be sharp enough. Plus, there's a chance he'll be working his butt off with the best coaching he's ever had. Not necessarily, but there's a chance.
ederson getting into his late mid 20s and already this season missed matches due to the dreaded 'muscular problems'
Foot skills are developed at the youngest ages. Pep doesn't develop players foot skills; he acquires players that already have them. And that's why I think Steffan will always be viewed as a high quality backup under Pep.
Steffens knees are just as much a cause for concern I'd say. Steffen and Ederson are roughly 1 1/2 years apart so they're pretty much contemporaries.