Joe Hart is set to be recalled to Manchester City’s first team in their crucial Premier League fixture against league leaders Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.
Hart is set for a reprieve by Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini after being dropped by the City boss after an error in the 2-1 defeat against Chelsea on 27th October. Since then, Costal Pantilimon has been City’s first choice keeper, having donned the Gloves for six Barclays Premier League games, and a League Cup win away at Newcastle, impressing the City manager in the process.
After the Romanian goalkeeper’s fine p[erformances in the games he dubutised in, Hart’s long term position was under threat, after howlers in key games this season.
But Pellegrini has been impressed in Hart’s resilliance after his troubles, and after starting two Champions League games, in the victories against Plzen and Bayern Munich respectively, games in which Hart put in two respectable successful performances as City qualified for the knock out stages.
And Hart’s performances could be rewarded with a start against Arsenal, as Pellegrini is currently mulling over the two goalkeepers and who to start.
Although Pantilimon has done little wrong since taking over, it is understood Pellegrini could be about to reinstate the Englishman.
Pellegrini said last week that Pantilimon’s City future would depend on wheather the keeper can keep Hart out the side.
Pantilimon’s deal expires at the end of the season. Yet after he admitted before May’s FA Cup final defeat to Wigan Athletic at Wembley that he wanted to depart the club, Pellegrini conceded there is no guarantee Pantilimon will remain at the club when his contract comes to an end next summer.
“If he continues with his good performances then maybe. He’s a very good goalkeeper and he’s playing very well.”
City have not yet opened discussions over a new deal. “It’s not an issue we are talking about at this moment,” Pellegrini said, “but he is doing very well and we will see afterwards about that.”
Hart made some crucial saves in the midweek win away at Bayern Munich and is on the verge of that number one place again, despite Pantilimon’s form.
By Ben Reardon.
@BenReardon1
