'Have to choose wisely' - Man City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega reveals transfer dilemma as he mulls whether to continue battle with Ederson or seek regular football elsewhere

The German has been enjoying playing regular football again while City's No. 1 Ederson recovers from an injury sustained against Liverpool last month. However, he remains clearly the team's second-choice 'keeper and will have to decide whether he prioritises playing regularly or winning trophies.

Ortega, 31, joined City in 2022 from Arminia Bielefeld, who had just been relegated from the Bundesliga. He has made 27 appearances in all competitions in nearly two seasons with Pep Guardiola's side and is the first choice in FA Cup and Carabao Cup matches. However, when Ederson is available he knows he has little chance of playing in the Premier League or Champions League, which poses him somewhat of a transfer dilemma.

"I’m not in the beginning of the 20s so I have to choose wisely now what I’m doing in summer," Ortega told reporters. "It’s not that I have to push the club that they will sell me, it’s just like see what happens. I’m relaxed because there are worse places than here. At the end it’s not my single decision, my Mrs is there as well, we’re expecting the second child."

Ortega revealed he does not speak much with Ederson and did not know when he would return. "Honestly, I don’t know, we’re not talking that much. I try just to focus on my performance now if I can get the chance to play. I think he should be alright but I don’t know exactly when he is coming back," he said. "Now I have [played] four big games in a row. I think I did well, I showed all the people can trust me. "I just can show my performances on the pitch and in training and in the end I don’t know what will happen, but it’s all about the team and if I have to go back on the bench it will be hard for me, yes, but we have to support everyone."

Ortega has seized his chance since Ederson got injured at Anfield, helping City beat Newcastle in the FA Cup, draw 0-0 with title rivals Arsenal and comfortably see off Aston Villa. Ederson has returned to training but it is not known whether he will return to action against Crystal Palace on Saturday or against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg on April 9.