Ederson says Man City squad are ‘capable’ of winning the treble & praises Fernandinho impact

Ederson has said Manchester City have ‘got the quality’ to win the treble this season, when speaking ahead of the club’s Champions League second leg against Sporting Lisbon.

The Sky Blues could still collect three pieces of silverware this summer, with City top of the Premier League and face Southampton in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Pep Guardiola’s men are also likely to progress to the last eight of the Champions League, and they hold a 5-0 advantage over Sporting heading into the second leg of the last-16 tie.

While City look in a good position to achieve a treble, it’s something which has only been achieved once before in English football, by Manchester United in 1999. Despite that, Ederson is confident the quality in the City dressing room is high enough to collect all three trophies.

“Definitely,” he responded in Tuesday’s press conference, when asked if the Premier League champions could win the treble this term.

“We know it is difficult. A season in England is very intense, especially when you get around the Boxing Day period. It’s a lot of games and that’s very demanding on the entire group.

“We know how difficult it is, but we’ve got the quality and we’re showing it at the moment. I think we are capable of achieving this objective.”

Fernandinho’s impact

Ederson was also asked about his fellow countryman Fernandinho, who has played more of a bit-part this season.

Despite that, the City keeper said the 36-year-old still plays a huge role in the squad, and Ederson hopes he remains at the club beyond this season.

“He has very strong leadership in the squad; an important player, experienced, he’s the longest serving,” explained the former Benfica stopper.

“He guides young players and supports the others. He helps us a lot, we know how important he is in the squad. He's more than a captain, he’s a fundamental figure in the team.

“He’s in his ninth year now and I hope he can continue doing this work. I don’t know what his intention is, but the club are doing everything for him to remain here as they know how important he is to our group.

“In games, when the team are winning and the players relax, that's what he speaks to the players about,” Ederson added.

“He talks a lot about being focused for 90 minutes, looking for another goal and playing good football. That’s why he has this leadership role within our team.”