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Donnarumma could leave PSG in the summer of 2025. |
Donnarumma, Maignan and Ederson - who used to be "irreplaceable stoppers" - are now all facing a crossroads in their careers.
For years, transfer windows have revolved around the race for a goal-scoring striker, a creative midfielder or a steely centre-back. But the summer of 2025 has brought a different kind of shift: a crisis of confidence… in goal. Gianluigi Donnarumma, Mike Maignan and Ederson – three of the best goalkeepers in Europe – are all facing uncertain futures. And that begs the question: Is the goalkeeper position losing its very core quality – consistency?
Three people, one destiny
At 26, Donnarumma should be the leader between the sticks for PSG and Italy. But his career in Paris has been marred by a cycle of unconvincing performances, crucial errors and a sense of insecurity among his own fans.
Once considered Buffon’s successor, Donnarumma has never been able to recreate the solidity of his predecessor. PSG no longer sees him as a “goalkeeper”, but as a great asset that needs to be considered for liquidation when the market allows. Even the huge shadow of his high salary makes many clubs hesitate, even though his professional quality is still not bad.
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Mike Maignan attracts many big clubs. |
Mike Maignan is a different story. At AC Milan, he is not only a goalkeeper, but also a spiritual leader and a tactical foundation from behind. Maignan helped Milan win Serie A and is consistently ranked among the best goalkeepers in Europe. But because of his consistent form, he is becoming a target of scrutiny.
Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Saudi Arabian clubs are ready to make attractive offers. Milan, in a financial context, are forced to consider selling. Their difficulty is not because Maignan is declining, but because he is... too excellent to keep in an environment stifled by financial disparity.
Of the three, the uncertainty surrounding Ederson's future is perhaps the most shocking. He is an integral part of Pep Guardiola's system - a goalkeeper who knows how to play with his feet, come in and out of the box, and was instrumental in Man City's historic treble.
But football is no place for nostalgia. Ederson was injured last season, and his replacement, Stefan Ortega, has performed better than expected. For Man City, it is time to consider a wise change: sell Ederson while he is still valuable, to make way for the next generation.
When stability is no longer valued
What do Donnarumma, Maignan and Ederson have in common? Not form, but feeling: none of them are considered untouchable anymore. And that reflects the new reality of modern football – where every position, even goalkeeper, is a tradeable asset.
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Ederson is reportedly close to joining Galatasaray. |
Goalkeepers used to be a symbol of loyalty and legacy. Buffon, Casillas, Neuer were all at a club for decades. But in the era of data football, where every decision can be quantified by stats, emotions are pushed aside. A goalkeeper who is poor at footwork, slow to come in and out, or simply has a salary that is higher than his current value, is immediately put on the disposal list.
Today’s football demands that goalkeepers be all-rounders: both excellent reflexes and initiators of attacks. Sometimes even a “third centre-back”. As expectations grow, tolerance for error also decreases – and what was once the most stable position has become a vortex of instability.
The summer of 2025 could be the start of a new trend: the goal will become as much a revolving door as any other line. Expensive goalkeepers like Donnarumma, Maignan or Ederson may leave - not because they are not good, but because modern football has no patience with the concept of "long-term commitment".
Source: https://znews.vn/ba-nguoi-nhen-chao-dao-mua-he-2025-post1573597.html
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