While we’re only talking about one game in isolation so far, Pep Guardiola has already made his first defining statement of intent at Manchester City: that Joe Hart, the club’s (and country’s) ever-present, ubiquitous and unquestioned No.1 goalkeeper just isn’t fit for goal in his dynamic new regime.
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As well as preferring Caballero for his first league match, Guardiola also left Yaya Toure completely out of the 18-man matchday squad. “That is why he didn’t play, the only reason why”. They are players for another club. I have a lot of respect of him, for his career and quality, but for the first days – against Sunderland – we were looking for a more intensive game.
Goalkeeper Joe Hart is another high-profile City player whose future is uncertain under Guardiola.
Joe Hart left unhappy with Manchester City omission, resulting in having to watch his teams victory against Sunderland from the substitution bench.
Guardiola was never going to waste any time in integrating his own ethos into his new club, and evidently, he’s taken a ruthless look at Hart.
Buffon remains the most expensive goalkeeper in the world, his transfer from Parma to Juventus for around £44m in 2001 keeps the 38-year-old in the record books.
And now it would seem his move to Manchester City is all but agreed with Spanish newspapers Mundo Deportivo and AS both referring to a quote from “someone in Bravo’s inner circle” who said: ‘The deal with City is practically all sewn up’. “He is a big professional”. “I know Yaya from Barcelona, how he loves to play football”.
“For sure, it’s very tough in this situation for me, for Joe, for the fans, for everything”, he said. “That is how I would like to feel”.
Toure made a total of 32 Premier League and 17 Champions League appearances for City last season. “Steaua Bucharest play with long balls and of course Nico is so important”, he added.
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Unlike Karius, Hart would be considered their new no.1 provided they beat Everton to his signature. I just think they are really vulnerable and have a real scrap on their hands to get in the Champions League.
