One summer signing made by Manchester City has changed everything

A significant change occurred at Manchester City during the summer transfer window. Ederson left the club for Fenerbahce after nine trophy-laden seasons at the club. With Ederson’s departure, City needed a new number-one goalkeeper. They signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG on the final day of the summer transfer window. In Donnarumma, Manchester City added arguably the best shot-stopper in world football. Watching Donnarumma slot into Pep Guardiola’s side, it is clear that he has changed everything for City. With Donnarumma’s shot-stopping and his ability in possession, City are a different side with the Italian international in goal.

Donnarumma helped Manchester City preserve their lead against Brentford.

One aspect of Gianluigi Donnarumma’s goalkeeping that sees him stand head and shoulders above other keepers in world football is his shot-stopping. The Italian international has a presence to him in goal. Being such a big man, he envelops the goal. This, coupled with his elite shot-stopping ability and reflexes, makes him a formidable presence for Manchester City. Against Brentford, Donnarumma used all of this at a crucial time in Manchester City’s 1-nil win over Brentford.

In the 47th minute of Sunday’s match at the GTech Community Stadium, Josko Gvardiol misjudged a header on the halfway line. Gvardiol’s poor header played in Brentford striker Igor Thiago. Thiago was clean through on goal with only Donnarumma to beat. If the Brentford striker scores, Sunday’s match likely plays out in an entirely different manner. As Igor Thiago raced clear on goal, Donnarumma repositioned himself to cover all possibilities. When Igor Thiago finally got himself in a position to shoot, he had a wall in front of him. The Brentford striker hit his shot straight, and Donnarumma, made a strong save. The chance was gone, and City’s 1-nil lead was preserved. That piece of goalkeeping showed what is different for Manchester City now. They now have a goalkeeper who makes big saves in big moments. That is Gianluigi Donnarumma’s specialty.

A HUGE stop! 🧤🚫

🩵 @donnarumma pic.twitter.com/OM1W38Abkm

— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 5, 2025

Speaking after his team’s win over Brentford, Pep Guardiola told the media that Gianluigi Donnarumma did precisely what he was brought to the club to do against Brentford. His save was a crucial moment in Manchester City’s win. Speaking on Donnarumma’s save, Pep Guardiola said: “This guy starts to play at the highest level at 17. When they told me he’s 26, it’s like he’s had centuries playing football. His composure, his presence. With clubs who play good you get one piece of action, and he did it today. One against one.”

In possession, City are a different proposition with Donnarumma in goal.

The other major aspect of Manchester City’s play that has changed with Gianluigi Donnarumma is how they build up from the back. For nine years, Manchester City played with basically a midfielder in goal. Such was Ederson’s ability with his feet that teams rarely dared to press the Brazilian goalkeeper when he had the ball. If they did, they’d open themselves up to Ederson’s superb long-ball ability and range of passing. With Ederson’s departure, that ability is now gone. With Donnarumma in goal, teams are willing to press City at the back.

Gianluigi Donnarumma’s ability with the ball at his feet remains a work in progress. This was also on display against Brentford. On several occasions, Donnarumma missed passes to Josko Gvardiol in particular. These moments allowed Brentford to get throw-ins, an aspect of the game they are masters at. Nothing came of them on Sunday, as City defended Brentford’s long throws superbly. But Donnarumma did give away possession on several occasions. He also took too long on the ball late in Sunday’s match. Kevin Schade charged down a Donnarumma clearance, which fortunately went wide of the goal. But that showed the stark difference in teams like Brentford’s approach to pressing Manchester City at the back.

Summary.

Manchester City are an entirely different proposition with Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal. They now have a keeper who thrives in big moments, and his ability to make match-saving and defining saves is second to none. We have seen this already during Donnarumma’s time at City.

In possession, Pep Guardiola’s side aren’t what they were with Ederson gone, and Donnarumma taking his place. That is the trade-off that has occurred.

All told, Manchester City have changed as a team after a significant change in goal over the summer. That was to be expected, but they now have a goalkeeper who makes a living off of saving his team and offers a commanding presence in his own box. Where that leads to this season remains to be seen. But Gianluigi Donnarumma is a match-winner in his own right and it is better for Manchester City to have that goal rather than not.