Why does everyone love Scott Carson? End of an era as Man City seal surprise transfer
Manchester City have signed Marcus Bettinelli from Chelsea to replace Scott Carson.
First Kevin De Bruyne, now Scott Carson. The departures might have been completely different but both will be missed.
De Bruyne announced his exit in advance and was given a huge send-off at the Etihad after a win over Bournemouth. He'll get a statue at the ground and has a mosaic and a road named after him at the CFA. The brilliant Belgian will go down as one of City's all-time greats.
Carson's exit was different, quietly announced in the retained list weeks after the campaign concluded. There was a fond farewell on City's website and floods of messages on social media from fans hailing the 39-year-old's impact.
Carson might only have played two games for City in six seasons, but he played an important and perhaps irreplaceable role behind the scenes. Players past and present have spoken about the role the stopper played in the dressing room and on the training pitch.
His contribution cannot be measured in appearances, or saves, or on-pitch moments. And that's just it, Carson brought something to City that isn't quantifiable.
Marcus Bettinelli will arrive as the new veteran third-choice stopper who can offer experience and help fill the homegrown quota to comply with Premier League and UEFA rules, but there won't be another Scott Carson.
"He was a legend of the locker room," explained the Manchester Evening News' chief Manchester City writer Simon Bajkowski, speaking on the latest edition of the Talking City podcast.
"Some might say it is a lot of money to pay for a good bloke, he has been third-choice goalkeeper but he has also been a key member of the squad.
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"He is one of the jokers of the dressing room, responsible for keeping everyone in good spirits. But one of those people who, without you noticing, keeps the standards up. He is making sure people are doing what they need to be at all times. Pep has really appreciated having them."
One story perhaps sums up Carson's role and influence, with his words ahead of the Champions League final against Inter Milan having an impact on the squad that helped them to glory and the treble.
"He came into his own in 2023 for the Champions League final," added Simon Bajkowski. "Ilkay Gundogan mentioned this, and I spoke to Phil Foden and he brought it up without being asked, and when that happens you think it must have made an impression.
"The squad were a bit nervous in 2023 because it was the treble and because they had been in a final two years before and had blown it.
"It was on the day, and the team get on the bus to go to the game and Scott Carson stands up and says 'don't worry lads, every time I come to Istanbul I leave with the Champions League trophy,' having won it with Liverpool there in 2005.
"It was things like that that put everyone at ease, it made everyone feel a bit better which can't really be calculated accurately but it is a big thing."