JANUARY THE TIME TO STRIKE IT RICH!
JOE HART made one manager happy again – now he has got to persuade another he can still hack it.
It will not be easy for the keeper who stands behind the defence with the worst record in the Premier League going into this weekend.
Hart returned to West Ham on Wednesday to meet up with new manager David Moyes following his England heroics at Wembley against Brazil the night before.
With Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland breathing down his neck and Gareth Southgate turning towards England’s future generation, Hart, 30, needed to be at his best.
He bristled when it was jokingly put to him that there was, ‘Still life in the old dog yet’.
And then barked back: “Who’s the old dog? There are no old dogs around here, on this side of the barrier.”
It showed there is still fire in his belly and the conversation moved on to his fine save near the end of that Brazil game. He added: “I just had to stand my ground and keep it out of the net as he hit it well.
“The lads defended so well against a brilliant team and I have to do my bit when required.”
When it was said his performance would have impressed Moyes, Hart disagreed.
He said: “I don’t think I’ve sent a message to him right now. I’m on England duty and I want to perform for my country and I want to perform for my manager and my team.
“That was my concentration. Now I’ll put my West Ham hat on again.”
So far it has been a dunce’s cap. His loan from Manchester City is turning into a
ARSENAL are set to enter the race for Watford’s Brazilian youngster Richarlison.
And that looks certain to mean a straight fight with bitter rivals Tottenham over the South American forward, 20, in January.
Spurs have been heavily linked with a move for Richarlison who has proved a revelation in his first season in England, scoring four times in 11 league games.
But Arsenal have been watching Watford’s £11.5million summer signing from Fluminense equally closely and are now convinced he would be a perfect fit at The Emirates.
Richarlison (left) caught Arsene