Kelechi Iheanacho has praised Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and striker Sergio Aguero for aiding the Nigeria forward’s development.
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Pep Guardiola insisted yesterday he will continue working with Joe Hart at Manchester City, even as Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo flew in to replace the unwanted England worldwide.
Guardiola has opted for Willy Caballero for all of City’s competitive fixtures so far, leaving Hart to make do with a place on the bench.
Sky Sports’ Spanish football expert Guillem Balague also reported on Friday the clubs had agreed a fee of around £17m and Bravo’s family were telling friends they were moving to Manchester.
‘I have an excellent relationship with Joe, ‘ said Guardiola. I’ve said many times he’s our player.
Guardiola said: “I can not deny what everybody knows”. “Barcelona were the first ones to announce the contact with Manchester City”. “But until a deal is complete, I can not answer”.
The manager did ensure that this situation is the same for all the players in the team and added, “I am not speaking about Joe, I am speaking about all the players at the club – I want to live, I want to work, I want to stay with the players who want to stay”. After that he has to be able to help us to create a good build-up.
“When you play long balls, okay, you can win the balls, and maybe some times I have that experience”. I don’t know (about any enquiries for Hart).
Meanwhile, following Joe Hart’s exclusion from the three first EPL games of the season, the England number one could be on his way out.
Hart’s transformation from City’s No 1 for eight seasons to second, and possibly, third choice represents a remarkable turnaround for the 28-year-old Englishman.
“I think Sergio is a great striker, everyone knows that”, the UAE 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup victor was quoted by ESPN FC as saying on Tuesday ahead of their return leg UEFA Champions League second leg fixture against Steaua Bucharest at home on Wednesday”.
Guardiola said: “We are ready for the Champions League”. They say “I don’t like the ball, I prefer to punish you in the counter-attack”.
“In terms of long-term injuries, Vincent Kompany and Ilkay Gundogan have little problems”, Guardiola was quoted as saying by City’s official website. “After, when in some moments we played really good, it’s just the quality of the intelligence of these players”, he told reporters. “They deserve to play and I am so confident about all the players”.
As for Leicester, the champions are still searching for the first win of their title defense after a 0-0 draw at home to Arsenal, in a game between the top two teams from last season.
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“But I am learning from him as well and it’s not any pressure for me to play”.
