There has been constant talk about Pep Guardiola moving for Marc-Andre Ter Stegen ever since he was confirmed as Manchester City manager.
Strong reports emerged from a number of news outlets, on Friday night, that Joe Hart will be left out of City’s starting XI for their Premier League opener.
City will take on Sunderland in Guardiola’s first proper outing – following preseason – as City boss. It looks as though Wily Caballero will be starting in goal for last season’s fourth best side.
Guardiola is reportedly not convinced about Hart’s ability with the ball at his feet and a couple of high-profile Euro 2016 errors did not help.
The Spanish coach is said to be a fan of Barcelona’s Ter Stegen but City would have to stump up an implausible £68m to meet his release clause. The German was often understudy to Claudio Bravo at the Nou Camp last season.
Speaking to the press on Thursday, Guardiola explained that much of his coaching talks with Hart are about controlling and distributing the ball. “We have the goalkeeping coach for [his hands],” he said.
“So we have had a chat about that. He has quality and he can do that… with time.
“I’m not saying he’s not able to do it. Maybe there are other goalkeepers with more quality of [doing] that. But Joe, with training, he can do it. With time. But his time is now. It’s not about what happens in six months, seven months.”
Buck up and buck up quick.
Hart has faced hardship, and time on the City bench, before and is keen to stick it out and fight for his place. Everton would love to get him to Goodison Park, on loan or as a permanent signing, but their lack of European football makes them an unattractive prospect.
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