Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has admitted there was universal embarrassment when Manuel Pellegrini repeatedly emphasised the need for a new defender in front of existing stopper Dedryck Boyata.
Pellegrini began today’s training session by loudly stating his desire to sign a new centre-back, seemingly oblivious to the fact that a crestfallen Boyata was gamely trying to win his affection.
While Boyata’s team-mates attempted to subtly indicate to Pellegrini that Boyata was within ear shot and feebly attempting to tackle Sergio Aguero, the manager simply increased the vehemence of his statements.
“It was all very awkward,” Joe Hart told FourFourTwo. “The lad [Dedryck Boyata] was standing literally right next to the gaffer [Manuel Pellegrini] when he started saying how nice it’d be to have a reliable centre-back.
“The poor guy [Boyata] just tried even harder, fussing around the ball like a startled goose, but the big man [Pellegrini] barked that he couldn’t imagine what it’d be like to see a ball cleared without any panic.
“Then he started listing the players he liked most in our squad. To be fair he’s named pretty much everyone which was a real boost, but Boyata’s name hasn’t come up.
“Finally he ran down his top 10 Belgians, Vincent Kompany was up there just after Poirot, but again Dedryck’s missed out.
“It was tense when John Joseph Merlin got the number 10 spot. He did invent inline skates though, which, in fairness to Dedryck, he hasn’t.”
Pellegrini eventually noticed the presence of Boyata, turning to ask him whether he knew anyone decent who played in central defence or whether Poirot was still on.
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