Sunday 21 August 2016 15:52, UK
Pep Guardiola's decision to leave Joe Hart out of Manchester City's season opener against Sunderland on Saturday suggests the goalkeeper has no future at the club, according to Andy Dunn on Sunday Supplement.
Hart, who endured a difficult Euro 2016 with England, was left on the bench as City won 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, with Willy Caballero preferred in goal.
And the Sunday Mirror's Dunn told Sunday Supplement: "The impression you get from the decision he's made is that Hart has no future under Guardiola, it's as serious as that.
"If we assume the reason he was dropped is because of his lack of footballing skills, then that's not going to change at 29. He's not exactly an old dog but there are some new tricks you can't learn. You can't turn a keeper like Hart into a play-starting sweeper-keeper.
"It's also a big blow to his pride because Caballero hasn't exactly shone or been outstanding when he's played in the past. He was okay yesterday [against Sunderland], but nothing special.
"Guardiola must have seen Euro 2016 and the poor tournament he had. It's a very big decision with a lot of ramifications for Hart, City and for England."
The Times' Chief Football Writer Henry Winter, however, believes it's too soon to write off Hart, and that the skills he possesses still suit the Premier League.
"Let's not underestimate Joe Hart," he said. "He's been in this situation before and went back, improved and fought back.
"He's a tough individual and a professional. He's not going to become Manuel Neuer or even Franz Beckenbauer overnight, but he will work on this. So let's not write him off.
"This is English football, not like in Spain where a lot of the keepers have time to control the ball, they get closed down very quickly in this league so it's not easy to play the ball out from the back."
While the Sun's Shaun Custis believes Guardiola's decision was a clear indicator that he wants to bring a new goalkeeper to Manchester City.
"I think it's a message to the board from Guardiola," he said. "The briefing from City is 'we love Joe Hart, everything is fine and we don't want to buy anybody'. But clearly Guardiola is saying 'you might not [want to buy a new goalkeeper], but I certainly do."
