Zack Steffen’s transfer to Manchester City a year ago figured to be the first step toward an eventual role with the English powerhouse, and it appears now that he has impressed enough in his time with Bundesliga club Fortuna Dusseldorf to be considered for a place with Pep Guardiola’s squad next season.
City’s recent EFL Cup triumph saw Claudio Bravo star, raising questions about the Chilean goalkeeper’s future as back-up to City starter Ederson. Reports have emerged stating that Bravo is not being offered a new contract with City, and that Guardiola is considering Steffen for the back-up role next season.
Steffen is currently sidelined as he deals with a knee injury, but when healthy he has been one of the few bright spots on a struggling Fortuna Dusseldorf side. Steffen made a smooth transition from MLS to the Bundesliga, playing well enough to impress Manchester City’s setup.
Becoming Ederson’s back-up would have its benefits and drawbacks, with the key issue being that minutes would be tough to come back at a time when Steffen will be expected to start in for the U.S. Men’s National Team as World Cup qualifying begins in the second half of 2020.
Fortuna Dusseldorf is interested in keeping Steffen beyond the current season, but it will ultimately be up to Steffen to decide whether he wants to continue as a starter with Dusseldorf or make the jump to Manchester City’s first team, where he could work under Pep Guardiola and serve as Ederson’s main back-up.
As things stands, there are no American goalkeepers in the Premier League, a drought that comes after almost two decades of players from Kasey Keller to Brad Friedel, Tim Howard and Brad Guzan manned the nets in England.
The report by the Evening Standard that identified Steffen as a potential replacement for Bravo in Man City’s squad also claimed that Bravo was being offered a place with New York City FC. That link doesn’t make much sense considering NYCFC currently has USMNT goalkeeper Sean Johnson in goal. In a salary-cap league, adding a player like Bravo wouldn’t make much sense when goalkeeper is one of the team’s strongest positions.
Given MCFC’s current situation that would be a demotion. ‘Misery loves company.’
Düsseldorf could be in B2 next year. So starting for a B2 team, or back-up to a team that can’t compete in the Champions League? GB doesn’t value B2 US players, nor does he bother with back-up GKs.
I’d be surprised if this was real. Man City don’t play guys who cost less than $50 million unless they were academy products. They leave the development of senior-level talent to less wealthy clubs. And personally, I like Steffen but I don’t think he’d be competitive with Ederson at all. He’s still very flawed with the ball at his feet
He should fight for the #1 spot with Man City. Just go and see how it goes. Kasey Keller was brought in be #2 for Spurs and then he beat out the incumbent Neil Sullivan to be #1.
This would be a bad situation for Steffen. He needs to be playing games. What would be a positive point for him sitting on the bench all year for Man City? Ederson and Steffen are close in age as well.
It would be much better for him to be loaned out again and play on a weekly basis at a high level.
“Man City considering promoting Zack Steffen…..” Considering??? As a back-up? I thought that was the original plan in the first place!!! IMO, he never should have left then
If Man City would agree that he get’s all non-final FA, Carboro Cup, European competition after advancement secured, games this would probably be a good move. That would be enough of a platform that if he performs well, to get 1st team minutes if Edersen falters or make a move to be a starter at a bigger club.
Man City is banned from European competition for two seasons. That would greatly impact the amount of games Steffen could be offered. I’m not in favor of a #2 role. I’d rather see Steffen in top-flight competition week in and week out.
Anyone who thinks him being a backup is smart should not be taken seriously. No argument