Bravo’s imminent arrival puts the future of long-time City goalkeeper Joe Hart in more jeopardy.
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“I can not deny what everyone knows, Barcelona was the first – one week or 10 days ago – who announced the contact with Manchester City”, Guardiola told a press conference.
Meanwhile, speculation is rife that Hart is poised to be replaced by Barcelona’s Claudio Bravo, meaning his days as City’s number one could be drawing to a close.
“But I’m sorry guys, until the deal is complete or not complete (I can’t speak), but at the moment the player (Bravo) is not our player”. Yet in staying at City he will in effect be third choice, behind Bravo and Willy Caballero.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admitted that goalkeeper Joe Hart is being considered to play against Steaua Bucharest.
Asked if Hart could feature, Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference: “He has a chance to play”.
On Monday Sam Allardyce stated Hart would be in his first England squad, announced on Sunday, but was clear that the goalkeeper – as with any player – would have to play regularly if he is to be part of the squad on a continual basis. I work with them like there’s no end.
“After we will speak”. It’s the place I’d love to be but situations occur in football but we’re men and we get on with it.
Pep Guardiola says he can understand why Joe Hart got a rousing reception from Manchester City fans on what could be his last game for the club.
He said: “I think Sergio is a great striker”.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager said Aguero must help his team mates with his movements off the ball.
“It’s not enough to receive the ball from his team mates, he has to help us in the first pressure and run a lot and help us a lot with movement”, Guardiola said.
Apart from Hart, young striker Kelechi Iheanacho, Fabian Delph, Fernando and Alex Garcia could also start tonight as Guardiola rotates his squad.
“Tonight was really nice and I really appreciate the people at Manchester City and it turns out they appreciate me”.
“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 know can they go and play at that level having not played for their own team for a considerable amount of time.So it is a concern”.
Iheanacho has seen Aguero make a blistering start to the season as Guardiola’s Etihad revolution takes hold.
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Hart joined City from Shrewsbury back in 2006 for just £750,000 and is the Citizen’s longest serving player.
