Pep Guardiola's goalkeeper plans could hurt Manchester City, says Paul Merson
Friday 19 August 2016 12:50, UK
Paul Merson has warned Manchester City they could cause themselves problems if they try to pass the ball around at the back and get the goalkeeper involved.
It has been reported that City boss Pep Guardiola is keen to replace Joe Hart with a goalkeeper who is more comfortable with short passing.
England international Hart has been benched for the first two games of the season and City are thought to be close to signing Claudio Bravo from Barcelona.
However, speaking on Sky Sports Now, Merson said: "If they start playing along the back and giving the ball to the goalkeeper they will have a long season.
"It's alright abroad where teams sit off and wait until you get to halfway or 30 yards from goal, then everybody starts pressing.
"In this league teams will press and suffocate Man City and, without being disrespectful, they are not Bayern Munich or Barcelona, they are not that great on the ball."
Hart looks set to be on the bench again as City travel to Stoke for the early kick-off on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
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And Merson added: "I would rather Guardiola come in and say I don't fancy Joe Hart rather than say the other keeper has better feet. I can't have that.
"Joe Hart is a top goalkeeper. I know he didn't have a great European Championship but find me a goalkeeper who doesn't make a mistake? I played with one of the best goalkeepers ever in David Seaman and he made mistakes in big games, but was still phenomenal.
"This is an interesting game for City. How does Pep set up? When he has managed other teams you turn up and win, but this is a difficult game."
Watch Stoke v Man City live on Sky Sports 1 from 11.30am on Saturday.
