PRESSURE MOUNTS ON HART
JOE HART doesn’t know where his next game is coming from. Not an ideal scenario when you are — at least for now — England’s No 1.
Having spent last season on loan at Torino after being frozen out at Manchester City, Hart is now seeking a permanent switch away.
Any hopes of a return to the Etihad Stadium vanished last week after City completed their £34million capture of Benfica keeper Ederson.
‘Something’s going to happen, but it’s almost in the hands of the businessmen now,’ Hart said. ‘I’m just a player, I turn up and play. I’d love to be withholding information about my future but I don’t have the information to withhold.
‘I’ve got nothing at the moment. After international duty is when conversations can be had and people can start being real.
‘I’ve not really spoken to City, they have obviously signed the new keeper. There is no real need for me to talk to them, I think they spoke to my agent. There is no animosity, they are going about their business and we are going about ours.’
City officials are likely to demand a princely sum for Hart, given his status as England goalkeeper, and his £110,000-a-week wages will also pose a problem. Hart, though, is confident City will not obstruct a summer move.
‘ Football is a business but I certainly don’t think they are going to try to price me out of a move,’ Hart said.
Much like his club future, Hart’s international career is under intense scrutiny after he let in two Leigh Griffith free-kicks in a matter of minutes in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Scotland.
Hart will not play in tomorrow’s friendly in France, a consequence of Gareth Southgate’s plan to play an experimental team rather than his performance in Glasgow.
Whoever takes his place in Paris will be auditioning for Hart’s role as first-choice England goalkeeper. The smart money is on Jack Butland, who is back in the squad after a long-term ankle injury, eventually replacing Hart. Southampton keeper Fraser Forster will also be in with a shout.
An impressive display from Butand or Forster at the Stade de France could signal the end of Hart’s reign.
‘I’ve got to respect this shirt’s not mine,’ Hart said. ‘I have to be playing to the maximum of my ability even to get in the squad.’
On Hart’s performance on Saturday, manager Southgate said: ‘We don’t need people to put their hands up, we are a team and we win or lose as a team and the character of the team is the most important thing.
‘I am sure he will be playing at a high level next season. For all of the players there is competition for places so we need them at a high level in every position.’