Source: Daily_Mail
Roberto Mancini backs Joe Hart to keep Manchester City in safe hands for many years
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes the club's future is in safe hands after backing goalkeeper Joe Hart to go on and become a legend at Eastlands.[LNB]Hart has grown in stature since replacing experienced Republic of Ireland international Shay Given as No 1 at the start of the season.[LNB]Since then the 23-year-old has not only become established in the team but also become England manager Fabio Capello's first choice. It is a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for the former Shrewsbury shot-stopper, who arrived at City in May 2006.[LNB] Rising up above the rest: Manchester City stopper Joe Hart has become one of the best in the business[LNB]He has kicked on this season after spending the last campaign on loan to Barclays Premier League rivals Birmingham. [LNB]Hart has been ever-present in the top flight, playing in all 31 games, and aims to improve that record on Monday when they face Liverpool at Anfield. Not only that, he lies top of the Barclays Premier League clean sheets list with 14 to his credit.[LNB]While Mancini is delighted with Hart's progress he insists there is much more to come from the player.[LNB]Mancini said: 'It was very difficult for me at the start of the season when I had to decide who to pick because we had two fantastic goalkeepers. The reason I picked Joe was I felt he could become the best goalkeeper in England - and he has.[LNB] Safe hands: Hart has made few errors since wrestling the No 1 jersey from more experienced heads at club and country[LNB]'But he is young. It is only his second season in Barclays Premier League. He can improve a lot. He can be the best goalkeeper here for a long time.'[LNB]Mancini again faces a dilemma at right-back as Micah Richards and Jerome Boateng are both injured.[LNB]Belgian rookie Dedryck Boyata was drafted in for his first Premier League start since October in the 5-0 victory against Sunderland but Pablo Zabaleta could be preferred after returning to the club following compassionate leave.[LNB]According to Boyata's fellow countryman Vincent Kompany, the 20-year-old has the ability to succeed at the top level of the English game.[LNB]Kompany said: 'Dedryck is unbelievable as he hasn't played for a long time. The players have a lot of respect for him because when he comes in he always delivers. He is someone we can rely on and we believe will become a great player for the club.[LNB] Star of the future: Dedryck Boyata (centre) has been backed to succeed at City[LNB]'I am not worried about Dedryck. He wants to improve, he was unlucky to be injured for a time but I think people realise now he is a really good player.'[LNB]Gareth Barry, James Milner and Edin Dzeko are all in contention for places as City aim to improve their prospects of a Champions League place ahead of the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United on Saturday at Wembley.[LNB]Kompany added: 'We intend to play better than we did against Sunderland. It was a good performance but there is always some margin for improvement.' [LNB] Two strikers, ?62m and NO goals: Carroll and Dzeko are yet to deliverWilshere wanted by Man City: Arsenal star targeted in ?40m summer swoopCity star Milner in row with Rooney agent over birthday party behaviourAll the latest Manchester City news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Edin Dzeko, Vincent Kompany, Shay Given, Joe Hart, Fabio Capello, James Milner, Roberto Mancini, Gareth Barry Places: Birmingham, Liverpool, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom
