Manchester City: Why replacing Joe Hart with Claudio Bravo was still right decision

Manchester City replaced Joe Hart with Claudio Bravo last summer after the arrival of Pep Guardiola. In hindsight, the move was regrettable. But the idea was still the right one at the time.

One of the stories of last summer was Manchester City moving on Joe Hart to make way for Claudio Bravo. The move created controversy instantly. Uproar in some quarters. Hart being the England number one and a real fan favorite at the Etihad created much of that.

The reaction was, in some ways, to be expected. But one thing it did do at the time was put even more pressure on the incoming Bravo. Unnecessary pressure. Replacing Hart, the expectations were extremely high. Even worse, Bravo would be held to those expectations stringently.

In a way, you’re always going to be if you’re replacing a firm fan favorite. It’s just the way it is. The spotlight and pressure is going to be intense. The opinion Pep Guardiola had, though, was that Hart simply did not have the passing ability to play in his system. End of story.

All the chances in the world were not going to change that. For as amazing as Hart’s shot-stopping usually is – although let’s not forget he errors he is fond of at times – his kicking has always been poor. This is nothing new.

For Guardiola, that was unacceptable. So Hart not being a good fit for the new City boss and his philosophy, and then leaving the club, is pretty cut and dried at this point. It was always going to be an issue once the Spaniard arrived. And so it proved.

The debatable part comes with Bravo. Now, signing Barcelona’s number one, a player who fits Guardiola’s style of play, doesn’t seem like a bad idea. And it wasn’t. It just hasn’t worked out. It happens.

If Bravo was as bad a some suggest, then he would never have been Barcelona’s number one goalkeeper in the first place. The truth is that Bravo rarely ever made a mistake at the Nou Camp. He was Mr. Reliable. Games when he was called upon to save the day, he did it.

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Now Bravo comes under more scrutiny and pressure at City in a more competitive and physical league, of course. Also, a non-existent City defense doesn’t help matters. But his performance level this season at Manchester City is not indicative of his overall ability level.

If this was it, the best he had, then Claudio Bravo wouldn’t have had the career he has. Barcelona wouldn’t have relied on him in recent years. Guardiola wouldn’t have wanted him. None of this would have happened if he was so bad.

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At this point, Bravo’s confidence is clearly shot to pieces. The season has been abysmal for him. Has the 33-year-old failed to settle in Manchester? Struggled to adjust to a new culture? Perhaps he made the move too late in his career?

Whatever the reason, it’s something that is beyond Guardiola’s control. Talent wise, ability wise, Claudio Bravo is a fantastic goalkeeper. That is what Guardiola judged him on before signing him. The decision to bring in Bravo, at the time, remains the right one.

Guardiola is a coach after all, he’s not a psychic. How does he know how Bravo’s personal life will go? Or whether he will ever settle in a new country? These things are out of his hands. You can try and gauge them, but you never really know. It’s guess work.

Guardiola replaced a goalkeeper who clearly didn’t fit, with one who did. The performances were up to Bravo from there. Manchester City may well have to move on from the Chilean in the summer now. A new, younger goalkeeper likely the target.

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However, whoever that is will have a similar skill set to Bravo because that is what Guardiola demands. That wont change. Just this time, hopefully, the player hits the ground running and quickly grows into the role. Inspire confidence to those around him. Asserts himself.

Claudio Bravo, although a top class goalkeeper, has done exactly the opposite.