Manchester City Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Joe Hart and Nolito
Sunderland manager David Moyes has revealed he turned down the chance to sign Joe Hart before the Manchester City goalkeeper joined Torino on loan in the summer.
City boss Pep Guardiola controversially opted to push Hart aside for Claudio Bravo and Willy Caballero. It wasn't a popular decision, and the England No. 1 could have stayed in the Premier League.
Regular relegation candidates Sunderland could have given Hart that chance. However, Moyes instead decided to stick with his current stoppers.
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In an interview with the Shield Gazette (h/t FourFourTwo), Moyes revealed how he valued the development of Jordan Pickford too highly to sign Hart: "I could have brought in Joe Hart, we thought he would have been ideal for us, but I had to think of Jordan's progression too and he hasn't let us down."
Moyes even believes 22-year-old Pickford will eventually supplant Hart as the No. 1 'keeper for England at international level: "Hopefully he will become England's number one for the future, I don't see why not. He has the attributes and if he keeps his attitude of working hard, he won't go far wrong."
That's high praise, but it may be a tall order considering Hart is still performing well. He's taken quickly to life at Torino and is showcasing the qualities that helped him win a pair of Premier League titles at City before Guardiola arrived.
In fact, Torino chairman Urbano Cairo has been very impressed by the on-loan stopper, who has started every game since arriving in Serie A, per the Daily Mirror's Thomas Bristow: "Hart is a great goalkeeper. In my opinion, I would rate him right now at between a seven and an eight. But he has the talent to achieve even higher."
Hart was equally respected at City, particularly by the club's fans. Supporters chanted Hart's name and called for him not to be sold during a UEFA Champions League match against Steaua Bucharest back in August, per MailOnline's Joe Bernstein.
Still, Guardiola went ahead and signed Chilean Bravo from Barcelona for an initial fee of £15.4 million. Yet it hasn't always been plain sailing for Guardiola's chosen stopper.
The manager has had to defend his signing more than once. Guardiola jumped to Bravo's defence after the latter's mistakes nearly cost his team in the derby against Manchester United back in September, per Rory O'Callaghan of Sky Sports.
Guardiola also fanned the flames of criticism after Bravo was red-carded in a heavy defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League, per the Guardian's David Hytner.
Hart's form in northern Italy ought to have Sunderland ruing Moyes' decision, despite Pickford's improvement. The Black Cats are in another scrap for survival and could use Hart's experience and authority between the posts.
Then again, those qualities would also be more than useful in City's bid to win this season's Premier League title. If Bravo continues to appear shaky, more and more will question Guardiola's judgement in letting England's No. 1 go.
Nolito Talks Up Celta Vigo Return
Nolito only signed for City from Celta Vigo this summer, yet the 30-year-old Spanish forward is already thinking about a return to Celta, albeit in the future.
Nolito made his intentions clear during an interview with Spanish publication Marca (h/t TalkSport): "I miss Celta a lot. I would like to return. Provided I can, I will return."
One of the less heralded captures of City's summer transfer window outlay, Nolito has been effective when available. He's managed four goals and an assist in Premier League and Champions League action, according to WhoScored.com.
More important than the numbers, though, has been Nolito's perceptive running off the ball and his versatility. He usually lines up on the left but is able to play anywhere along the front.
In fact, he often does pop up in all three positions thanks to intelligent and direct running between gaps. Nolito's movement creates pockets of space and drags markers away from true danger men, such as striker Sergio Aguero and attacking-midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.
Nolito is a veteran, and it makes sense for him to want to return to the club where he made his name. Yet Guardiola and City will hope he's contributed to a few titles in England before then.
Hart may not get the chance to do the same, but if he keeps performing on loan, another manager is sure to show the faith in him Guardiola didn't.
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