It's time to admit Claudio Bravo hasn't been the kind of goalkeeper signing Manchester City needed. Pep Guardiola loved the sweeper keeper role which Manuel Neuer played at Bayern Munich and he used the German's passing and pace to create an extra outfield player when needed.
He used Neuer for three whole seasons and had a lot of success with him. While trying to bring the same playing style to the Premier League, he needed a keeper who could do what Neuer does – knowing for a fact that he won't be able to afford the big German #1 keeper.
In came Bravo from Barcelona and while he showed glimpses of his quality early on, he's faded since and Manchester City are suffering. Pep needs a keeper who can play with the ball at his feet and it just isn't happening for the Chilean.
So, here are five goalkeepers who could come in and be the sweeper keeper Pep Guardiola needs:
#5 Alphonse Areola
Not many people had heard of young Alphonse Areola when he was in the starting lineup to take on Arsenal earlier this year in the UEFA Champions League. But his two performances against the Gunners in the competition as well as his continued contribution in the Ligue 1 have convinced many people that he's the real deal.
He's only 23 and has the kind of experience that Pep would love: the kind of playing in the La Liga. Areola is quick, adept with playing the ball at his feet and has the ability to pull off some incredible solo saves every now and then.
With his contract ending in 2019, Areola won't come cheap but if Manchester City do offer one of their many blacklisted stars as collateral, they could pull off the deal.
#4 Timo Horn
Timo Horn might not have the best reputation in the Bundesliga but the German international is a ball-playing keeper capable of running with the ball into the field. Horn is only 23 and has a lot of time to work on his main weakness: which is to overdo dribbling once in a while.
Young blood and all.
But barring all that, Horn is an excellent shot-stopper capable of commanding respect in the box with his height, leadership qualities and his mere presence. Horn plays for FC Koln in the Bundesliga and has been one of the reasons his side are doing so well in the competition this season.
He’s an affordable option for Pep Guardiola and could become the kind of keeper the Catalan hopes to have at the club.
#3 Sergio Rico
Sergio Rico is apparently one of the most scouted goalkeepers in the world. The 23-year-old has been a shining light for Sevilla this past couple of seasons and he’s destined for big things.
Having already won two UEFA Europa League titles with Sevilla, the Spaniard is a target for multiple European giants with Manchester City just one of his suitors. He’s got a great frame and has the agility to get from one side of the post to another really quick.
But what puts him on this list is his ability to play with the ball. While Sevilla don’t need a passer of the ball at the back, he’s still able to carry the ball a little forward and find a right pass. He might be the kind of keeper Pep would enjoy working with – given the language sync.
#2 Mattia Perin
If it wasn’t for the legendary Gianluigi Buffon, we’d all have heard of Mattia Perin. The 24-year-old Italian is regarded as one of the best keeper prospects the country has seen since the Juventus man.
And Perin is the only keeper on this list who has the kind of pace and acceleration you’d expect from a winger in your team. He’s really quick off his line and has the confidence – and audacity – to run with it into the midfield more often that you’d expect.
Perin plays for Serie A side Genoa and has hinted in the past that he’d be willing to move if it helped his chances of getting into the Italian national team. He’s definitely one of the most gifted goalkeepers out there today. Expect him to make a move to a huge club soon enough.
#1 Hugo Lloris
If Pep Guardiola wants the kind of keeper he can count on wholeheartedly in the Premier League, there isn't a better one than Tottenham Hotspur’s Hugo Lloris. The French captain has been one of the best keepers in the world in recent seasons and still has a lot of game left in him.
Only 29 now, Lloris has the kind of ability and confidence of that of a young attacking midfielder. He's great with the ball at both feet and has the right passing range to help his side progress the ball more than usual.
Lloris, however, plays for Tottenham Hotspur who employ Daniel Levy as their chairman and if you're buying from that man, you better be ready to splash the cash. Known for his tough negotiating tactics, he's got to really see the money come in before he even considers selling one of his stars – let alone one his biggest ones in Lloris.
