“I can not deny it’s something special for me to return to Barcelona – I grew up there, to play there at 13 to become a footballer”.
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The biggest news is obviously Joe Hart, who has been called by Big Sam despite being clearly out of Guardiola’s plans for the Citizens.
Victory would give them three wins from three heading into the global break and set them up nicely for their next game, the derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford on September 10.
Guardiola is now set to sanction the departure of England No.1 Hart. The other ones, maybe they will stay, maybe they are going.
Barcelona yesterday completed the signing of Dutch worldwide goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen from Ajax.
“But of course the best solution is to find the best for them, and of course for Joe, for Willy, for Angus, they need to play”.
Hart received a rousing reception from the crowd at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday as he started his first competitive match for Manchester City this season.
Pep Guardiola expects his methods to take time to sink in at Manchester City – but in the meantime he just wants to win games.
With his future at Manchester City seemingly bleak, Hart had been linked with a move to Everton but Toffees manager Ronald Koeman said yesterday he was not in the market for the England worldwide.
“If the transfer window is closed and he is here, he has to stay here, he will be treated like another one. I am so happy that today he played at the level he has”.
The fans, recognizing that the game might be Joe Hart’s last outing in a Man City shirt, cheered him on throughout.
The Mirror reports that the Sky Blues are prepared to pay a huge chunk of Hart’s £120,000-per-week wages in order to boost his chances of securing a move elsewhere. “But situations occur in football. Time shows I made mistakes at Barcelona and (Bayern) Munich, but I have to take them”, Guardiola said.
Bravo said: “I’m very proud to be joining Manchester City”.
The 33-year-old moved to Barcelona from Real Sociedad in 2014 and enjoyed great success, winning the Spanish title in 2015 and 2016 and the UEFA Champions League in 2015.
Bravo’s arrival has intensified speculation over the future of Hart, whose demotion at City has been swift.
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“I spent most of my life there”.
