Bravo’s imminent arrival puts the future of long-time City goalkeeper Joe Hart in more jeopardy.
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At full-time he gave the thumbs-up to all sides of the ground and applauded the crowd, but whether that proves a farewell remains to be seen.
‘I have an excellent relationship with Joe, ‘ said Guardiola. “After [the deadline] we will speak about everything”.
Asked if any approaches have been received for Hart, who has also been linked with Sevilla, Guardiola said: “I am not able to speak (about that) because I do not know what is going on”. We were not in the right decisions. I try to be clear with my players and I was clear with him.
And following Barca’s 6-2 demolition of Real Betis on Saturday, in which fans chanted urging Bravo to stay, sporting director Robert Fernandez confirmed that an agreement with City was approaching completion.
The opening Group F qualifier for the 2018 World Cup is England’s first game under Allardyce, who was appointed after Roy Hodgson quit following the team’s defeat by Iceland in the last 16 of Euro 2016 in June. I know part of what the club has become – one of the reasons is Joe.
Steaua, meantime, have lost seven and won none of nine previous UEFA fixtures against Premier League opposition. He helped create this team and take it to a new level. That is why I insist with the players how important this process is. I can’t deny what I feel.
“If it goes for a longer period then it’s hard to select them, based on how they feel – never mind from a training point of view – and to known can they go and play at that level having not played for their own team for a considerable amount of time? The people must follow me”. I will keep working, whenever I get my chance I will do my best for the team, work with the team. These players and club deserve it. “After, when in some moments we played really good, it’s just the quality of the intelligence of these players”, he told reporters. The spirit was awesome.
City’s 5-0 advantage is the biggest first-leg lead recorded since the introduction of the Champions League play-off round in 2009/10.
“It was a attractive experience for us”. In terms of full games, we have to improve a lot.
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‘Of course, we start 5-0 so it’s nearly impossible to be better than that.
