Joe Hart will be forced to sit on the bench and watch as Man City take on Chelsea in the FA Cup semi final at Wembley. That is according to his understudy, Costel Pantilimon who has been told he will keep his place according to the Mirror.
Pantilimon has played every minute of City’s FA Cup campaign so far this season and Roberto Mancini believes he deserves his place in the showpiece game next week.
It will be seen as a big gamble by the Italian, as the FA Cup is the one remaining trophy City can still win.
Given the uncertainty over Mancini’s future at the club, some would say that Hart would be the better option. Ever since Mancini preferred him to Shay Given a couple of seasons ago, Hart has flourished and enhanced his reputation and standing in the game.
He has established himself as the undisputed number one for both club and country and is rated as one of the best keepers in the league.
However, Hart has come under criticism for some uncharacteristic blunders this year that have contributed to City’s lame defence of their title. And to be fair to Pantilimon, he has always performed well when called upon, and is the player that has helped City progress to this stage in the competition.