Gianluigi Donnarumma dispels concerns about his fit in Guardiola’s system

Gianluigi Donnarumma has no concerns about being asked to play out from the back by Manchester City following his deadline day move from Paris Saint-Germain.

Donnarumma made the move to the Etihad Stadium having been made surplus to requirements by PSG following the arrival of Lucas Chevalier from Lille.

The Italy international was allowed to leave despite playing a pivotal role in PSG’s treble-winning 2024-25 season under Luis Enrique, his shot-stopping ability particularly pivotal in the shootout win over Liverpool in the last 16.

But for all his prowess keeping the ball out of the net, there have been doubts raised about how he would fit into Pep Guardiola’s style of play, which demands goalkeepers to use their feet and pass the ball out form the back.

City have already seen one goalkeeper make a costly error attempting to do so this season, Tottenham scoring the second goal in a 2-0 win at the Etihad after a pass from James Trafford was intercepted.

Donnarumma is likely to replace Trafford, who re-joined City from Burnley this summer, as City’s number one goalkeeper.

And the 26-year-old believes he will fit well into Guardiola’s system.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of Italy’s World Cup qualifier with Estonia, Donnarumma said: “When you are wanted so strongly by a club like City it means you’ve worked well, and being wanted by one of the strongest coaches in the world like Guardiola is an indescribable emotion.

“I’ve always trained well and I couldn’t wait to join City because they really wanted me, the coach really wanted me, and that made me proud. To be wanted so strongly by the best club in the world makes me proud, but also very emotional and happy.

“Every coach makes his own choices, I don’t know the reasons, but I’m proud to be coached by Guardiola, who has won so much and is one of the best in the world.

“I don’t think there’s problems with using the feet. For what I’ve accomplished from when I started playing at 16 until today, I’ve always done great things. Mistakes will always happen, but I believe I’ve achieved great things.

“I always try to help the team and do what the coach asks of me. I do everything; you can always improve in everything, but regarding what the coach asks of me, I try to improve. I’m sure that with Guardiola we’ll do a great job.”

Donnarumma could make his debut in the when City host Manchester United in the derby on September 14.