Pep Guardiola was off to a decent start to his Premier League adventure with a 1-0 victory over Sunderland on Sunday. An own goal from Paddy McNair, the Manchester United loanee at Sunderland, late in the game was enough for the Citizens to seal all three points from this game but the biggest talking points were the exclusions of Joe Hart and Yaya Toure from the game. Toure was completely left out of the 18-man squad while Hart was on the bench, replaced by Willy Caballero for the game. This has put the England international’s future at the club in jeopardy with reports suggesting that Guardiola wants to replace him and that he will look into Europe for suitable options With just two weeks of the transfer window left, let’s take a look at 3 players who Manchester City can replace Joe Hart with this summer.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)
Arguably the best option for Pep Guardiola this summer, Barcelona’s ‘cup-goal keeper’ Ter Stegen is reportedly linked with a move to the Etihad this summer. The German international is regarded as one of the best keepers in the country after Manuel Neuer and is a ball-playing shot-stopper just like Pep likes it. He has not got enough games at the club last season and could move if the chance of first team football comes by. So Guardiola need not look further than this German sweeper-keeper to replace the England international with at the Etihad.
Stephane Ruffier (Saint-Etienne)
Hugo Lloris’ number two for the French national team, Ruffier, is one of the few goalkeepers who were linked with a move to the club before Joe Hart established himself on goal at the Etihad. The 29-year old is a decent option for Pep Guardiola who wants his keepers to be comfortable on the ball. Ruffier is an experienced campaigner who is arguably the best goalkeeper in League 1 at the moment and though he may not be a proper ball-playing goalkeeper, he is surely comfortable in possession while his experience will add more mettle to Etihad’s defense this season. It will be interesting to see if Guardiola is ready to swoop in for the 29-year old this summer.
Mattia Perin (Genoa)
Gianluigi Buffon’s successor in Italy, Mattia Perin is easily the most exciting young talents in the country in recent times. At just 24-years of age, the Genoa shot-stopper is slowly growing on to be known as one of the most consistent keepers in Europe. His agent recently revealed that he deserves to play for a Champions League outfit soon and Manchester City might be the right destination for him.
He is a confident goal-keeper whose patience and perseverance help his side keep the goal away from harms reach. He is hardly fazed in possession and his passing is equally commendable making him a perfect fit for Guardiola. At his age, he will only get better and can help Manchester City with a settled shot-stopper for years to come.
Who do you think should replace Joe Hart at the Etihad this summer?
