Pep:IhadHart toHartwithJoe about football
MANCHESTER City boss Pep Guardiola maintains he has a good relationship with axed goalkeeper Joe Hart.
The England No.1’s future at the Etihad Stadium is uncertain after he lost his place in the City side to Willy Caballero and with the club apparently closing in on Barcelona’s Claudio Bravo.
Hart and Guardiola were seen deep in conversation as City trained in front of media ahead of tonight’s Champions League play-off second leg against Steaua Bucharest. Because footage then shows Hart walking off, the impression may have been gleaned that the pair do not get on.
But that is misleading as Hart and his fellow goalkeepers were due to train on a separate pitch and Guardiola has insisted there was nothing untoward in their discussions.
Speaking at a press conference, Guardiola said: “I have an excellent relationship with Joe. We were clear, him with me and I with him, and we spoke about our football.”
Guardiola even insists he has not ruled out the possibility of Hart featuring against Steaua, a game which City will begin with a 5-0 aggregate lead.
“He has a chance to play tomorrow,” said Guardiola. “I have said many times, he is a player of us.”
Guardiola, however, did not deny that Bravo is likely to join City in the coming days.
The Chile international was pictured at the airport in Barcelona yesterday and later seen arriving at Manchester Airport.
Barca confirmed last week the two clubs were in negotiations and reports have suggested a deal for the 33-year-old could cost City about £17 million.
Guardiola said: “I cannot deny what everybody knows. Barcelona were the first ones who announced contact with Manchester City but, sorry, the deal is not complete. After that I will be open to answer questions but in this moment he is not our player.”
With Caballero having so far been preferred in goal to Hart this season, the likely arrival of Bravo could relegate the England goalkeeper to third choice. Speculation Hart could leave City before next week’s transfer deadline is intensifying despite apparent interest from Everton reportedly having cooled.