Per-the-source, City are closing in on a £17m deal to sign Barcelona’s Chilean worldwide Claudio Bravo.
Advertisement
Bravo’s imminent arrival puts the future of long-time City goalkeeper Joe Hart in more jeopardy.
“I can not deny what everyone knows”, said the former Barca boss. That’s why I tried to insist to the players how important it is.
Yaya Toure, Wilfried Bony, Samir Nasri and Eliaquim Mangala, who have also played no part for City this season, were among the 33 players who trained across two pitches.
The possibility of this has increased speculation Hart could seek to leave the Etihad Stadium, although reports have suggested Everton’s apparent interest has cooled.
“We spoke about football”, said Guardiola who was photographed talking to Hart during training ahead of City’s Champions League qualifying tie with Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday.
Few expected that Hart would barely get a chance to prove that he can adapt to the Catalan’s high pressing possession based style of play, which Bravo is being brought in to provide as City’s new number one. I work with them like there is no end.
“After we will speak”.
The England global goalkeeper has been left on the bench for the opening three games of the season with Willy Caballero preferred. I can assure something, my players always run.
He may also hand playing time to some of his fringe players, but it remains to be seen whether outcast goalkeeper Joe Hart will be granted a first start of the campaign. “That is why I am here”. “I am not able to speak about negotiations”.
“Obviously he’s been criticised a lot in the previous year, but the way he’s responding is great”, said team-mate Kevin De Bruyne ahead of Wednesday’s return leg against Steaua.
The value in backing a heavy home win is enhanced when one accounts for the fact that City have won three and lost none of their last five Champions League home games and reached the semi-finals of the competition last season.
Guardiola said that Aguero must help his teammates with his movements off the ball.
Asked if Hart could feature, Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference: “He has a chance to play”. It is because when you create a good buildup our forward players receive the ball in better conditions and that is the reason why.
“Until now he’s doing it and, when that happens, you are involved in defensive tasks and the offensive”.
Advertisement
Striker Kelechi Iheanacho is among the players hoping to get a start after Guardiola promised to “make some rotations”. “We will need him. After, when in some moments we played really good, it’s just the quality of the intelligence of these players”, he told reporters.
