HART’S LAST STAND
England keeper to bid farewell to City and take up loan option
JOE HART has been told by Pep Guardiola that he will play for Manchester City tonight on the day Claudio Bravo arrived to replace him.
After spending three games of the new season on the bench, Hart will face Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League playoff round second-leg clash.
But it is likely to be the goalkeeper’s farewell game because, despite his recall, he still wants to leave before the transfer deadline closes next
Wednesday – and City will not stand in his way. Hart does not want to be No2 or No3 in the pecking order behind new boy Bravo and Willy Caballero, who was preferred by Guardiola in City’s first three games of the season.
Bravo’s £17million arrival from Barcelona took Guardiola’s spending in his first summer in charge to about £170m. He is set to sign a four-year contract today and could make his Premier League debut against West Ham on Sunday.
The 106-cap Chile international, 33, is four years older than Hart and five inches shorter. Most experts in the game regard him as no better than Hart at stopping shots.
But Guardiola has made it clear he wants him for his ability with the ball at his feet and his distribution – he came out on top in the La Liga stats tables for goalkeepers last season.
Hart, who was warned by England manager Sam Allardyce that he needs to be playing regular club football to keep his international place, will only consider a loan deal, leaving him free to assess his options in January or next summer.
Hart is running out of time to find a suitable club. At the moment his choices appear to be limited with most of the top Premier League oufits already having a No1 keeper in place. Everton have dropped their initial interest but could revive it if City pay a percentage of his wages.
Guardiola played down suggestions of a rift with Hart after TV pictures showed them having a brief exchange in training.
“We spoke about football,” said Guardiola. “He has a chance to play. I have an excellent relationship with Joe. He’s clear with me and me with him.
“I don’t know if this could be his last game. I’ve said many times he’s our player. After the deadline we will speak about everything.”