Man City cult hero leaves on free transfer - he will need replacing
Manchester City goalkeeper Scott Carson is leaving the club after six years to leave a hole in the goalkeeping department
Scott Carson is among the list of players released by Manchester City at the end of their season to bring an end to the popular goalkeeper's time at the club. Carson is the most high-profile of three Blues that have left the club on a free transfer.
Originally joining on loan from Derby County in 2019, the veteran stopper quickly became a big character in the dressing room and has spent the last six seasons at the Etihad with Pep Guardiola. He played two matches, starting a Premier League game at Newcastle in 2021 just after the Blues had wrapped up the title before facing Sporting in the Champions League in 2022 as they defended a 5-0 first-leg lead.
Despite the lack of appearances, Carson was an important and valued member of the squad - not least when the group travelled to Istanbul in 2023 hoping to complete the Treble and win their first ever Champions League.
Ilkay Gundogan reported how the goalkeeper made a nervous squad feel more comfortable as he joked about winning the competition in the same city with Liverpool 18 years earlier.
"When we got on the bus over to the hotel, I was sitting near Scott Carson, and obviously he had been a part of that Liverpool team that came back from 3–0 down against AC Milan in 2005," Gundogan wrote. "He said, 'Don't worry, boys. Every time I come to Istanbul, I leave with a Champions League trophy.'"
Pep Guardiola frequently praised Carson's character and leadership skills in the dressing room, insisting that he was more important than anyone outside of the club realised. The 39-year-old was also a popular figure with fans, who revelled in his role and success with the team.
His departure adds to an uncertain summer for the goalkeepers, with doubts over Ederson and Stefan Ortega despite recent comments from the manager indicating that they would be staying.
City will have to find a replacement for Carson whatever happens with the other two keepers in order to keep Guardiola's complement of three. That could come from inside the academy, but the manager has appreciated the experience of Carson over the past six years.
The Telegraph reports that City could move for Chelsea third-choice goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli to take over from Carson.
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