Costel Pantilimon kept a clean sheet on his Premier League debut in the 7-0 demolition of Norwich City on Saturday afternoon, though in truth, the Romanian international was rarely tested in the convincing triumph.
Despite his decision to take Hart out of the firing line, the City boss is in no doubt that his goalkeeper can get back to his best form.
“My duty is to see every week who is the best player to play,” Pellegrini asserted.
“Joe needed a rest, it will be useful for him – he’s played every match for two years. Every player can have a bad moment.
“I only know that Joe must work very hard and he will have all of the support of me and the goalkeeper coach and the team. He is England’s goalkeeper and I think he will be back.
“I am sure he will return to his normal performance.
“We will work very hard with me him, we’re all behind him to help him get back to his best. But right now Pantilimon was the right choice.”
...Manuel Pellegrini...
Pellegrini also admitted that he was surprised by the comprehensive nature of the victory and revealed that he expected a tighter game.
“It was a really great performance, what was extra pleasing is that we played really well during the whole 90 minutes, not just the first-half,” he said.
“Usually a team stops after being 4-0 up at half time but the team kept playing and that’s very important to me. That’s what I want to see.
...Manuel Pellegrini...
“Norwich is a very good team, I saw their last two games at Chelsea and Arsenal and they lost both games in the 85th minute or late on, so I didn’t expect to score seven goals but I think the team played well to do it.
“It’s so important to see the team play the way I want them to play. They are very good technical players, when they move the ball so quickly it’s very hard not to play well.”
The 60-year old also reassured supporters that there is no cause for concern with Alvaro Negredo after he was taken off at half-time.
“Negredo was not injured, but he played he played 115 minutes last Wednesday and we have to play again on Tuesday in a very important game for the club so I thought it was better for him,” Manuel declared.
“Dzeko played very well on Wednesday so it was important for him to play and score again.”
