Speculation intensified on England number one Joe Hart’s future after new boss Pep Guardiola dropped the former Birmingham City loanee for the opening Premier League game against Sunderland.
The 29-year old Hart who was a £500,000 signing from Shrewsbury by former City boss Sven Goran Eriksson has endured a very tough couple of months after a below-par showing in the recently concluded European championships.
This hasn’t been the first time Hart’s future has been in doubt, but in the past, the former Shrewsbury stopper has managed to bounce back. On this occasion, Joe Hart doesn’t look to be as ‘fortunate’.
The current England number one’s form hasn’t been disappointing not just domestically but internationally as well last season. The writing seems on the wall for the 29-year old who has been one of Manchester City’s longest serving players.
Rumours are starting to circulate that manager Guardiola has not only given Hart a vote of no confidence after the opening day snub, but is also readying a move for one of two goalkeepers.
It’s rumoured that former Barcelona manager Guardiola is going to go back to his former club to bid for either Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo or his German team-mate Marc-Andre Ter-Stegen.
Both goalkeepers have been sounded out as a possible replacement for Joe Hart due to their ‘sweeper keeper abilities’. Any move to sell last season’s number one Hart will be controversial, to say the least.
However with City’s ambitious owners wanting to mount a sustained challenge in Europe, then maybe it’s seen that the former Shrewsbury keeper isn’t that man to aid that challenge.
Joe Hart despite his indifferent form of late is no doubt a world class goalkeeper on his day. Big,athletic and commanding of his box, Hart does have qualities that arguably resemble a former Manchester City and Manchester United goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel.
Guardiola though however seems to more in favour of the modern keeper, ‘the sweeper keeper’ which has been made famous by Germany number one Manuel Neuer.
This looks to be the same reason as to why Pep is keen on either Barca goalie. Any transfer on the face of it would seem unlikely, simply because would Barcelona want to weaken themselves and sell to a team that is looking to make a statement in Europe?
One would think not, but with Barcelona opting to rotate Ter Stegen and Bravo in matches, it’s been reported that both men aren’t happy with being put in such a situation.
The writing seems to be on the wall for Joe Hart I am afraid being dropped in such brutal circumstances. Any reasons due to Euro 2016 would be an excuse on the Manchester City boss’ part.
It would be hard to see where Hart’s next club would be. The talent is there no doubt, but Europe’s elite seem to be covered in the goalkeeping department.
Juventus have Gigi Buffon, but he won’t last forever; Bayern have Manuel Neuer, Paris Saint Germain have Kevin Trapp, Real have Keylor Navas – so maybe Barcelona could be his next destination should England goalkeeper Hart be sold.
One thing is for certain, if Joe Hart is sold that would surely send shock waves right through the squad.
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