Hart broken Joe looking for a new challenge
Published:
England stopper nearing end of Serie A loan
Joe Hart served as stand-in captain in England’s World Cup qualifying win over Lithuania at Wembley last weekend. The 29-year-old looks to have cemented his place as number one, and is sure to be playing at the World Cup in Russia next season, possibly as a leader on the pitch too.
So, why is his future hanging in the balance? Man City manager Pep Guardiola sent Hart out on-loan to Serie A side Torino, replacing him with Caballero and Bravo. The gaffer has chopped and changed his goalkeepers throughout the season, but Willy seems to be flavour of the month at the moment, being a standout in that 5-3 win over Monaco in the Champions League, saving a penalty from Falcao.
City decision seems to have been made for him
As with any position in the team, it looks like the spot in goal is up for grabs to the most consistent performer, but if Hart was to return to the Etihad, it’s doubtful he’d be rated any higher than second in command.
To retain his place in the England starting XI for next summer Hart would need to be nailed on first choice starter at club level, so it looks certain he will be on the move, and for a bargain price too. So, where could Hart go next? He took to the press recently to say that he has enjoyed being axed by Pep, and has been seen putting in some great work in Serie A. A long-term move doesn’t look likely however, as he didn’t seem to be talking about the future when telling the media that he has enjoyed his time and Italy, and enjoyed learning from it.
Too many question marks over Arsenal
Arsenal are currently expected to feature highly on a list of potential moves, but there seems too much uncertainty at the Emirates to plan for the future. Would Wenger want him over Petr Cech, who is now 34-years-old, and quickly running out of time at the top of the game? He’s made a couple of high profile howlers this season, and Hart would have little trouble taking his spot, but we don’t know if Wenger will be in charge come the start of next season. Any new manager could have different ideas on the best way forward.
Liverpool move ticks all the boxes
Liverpool rate as a real option . After 29 Premier League games played the Anfield lot have conceded 36 goals, including 15 in their last 10 starts. Belgian Simon Mignolet’s future remains in doubt, and he hasn’t done an awful lot of late to win over reds fans, while young German Loris Karius lost his place in the team following a difficult winter. Manager Jurgen Klopp told fans he benched Karius to take him out of the firing line, as he is a young keeper. He could certainly learn a thing or two from Hart over the next couple of seasons.
Saints could match Hart’s ambition
A bit of an outsider, perhaps, but Southampton have been mentioned in all the right places recently. Fraser Forster hasn’t had his greatest season, and a club with The Saints ambitions would certainly appeal to Hart. He’d be fairly unchallenged for the jersey, and would be part of a side aiming to be involved in Europe most seasons. Hart playing at St Mary’s next season, it’s a long-shot, but certainly not impossible.
