‘I’m ready to give a lot more. I want to play’
CITY HERO HART IS DESPERATE FOR PERMANENT MOVE
JOE Hart has every intention of leaving City for good this summer – and he still hasn’t given up on his England dream.
The Blues goalkeeper remains a hero to the club’s fans, as shown by the huge cheer that greeted his appearance as a second half substitute in the Chicago friendly defeat by Borussia Dortmund on Friday night.
And there was some hope that the 31-year-old’s inclusion in the squad for the US tour might indicate a second chance for a man who has made 348 appearances for the club.
Both City and Hart think that unlikely, with both favouring a permanent transfer this summer.
Hart said he would have no problem remaining at the Etihad Stadium for the final year of his contract, if nothing does come up.
But he has spent the last two summers on loan, firstly to Torino and then a difficult spell at West Ham where he ended up as secondchoice.
“I need to go somewhere permanent, I think that’s obvious,” he said after the game.
“I did what I did in the previous two seasons because I needed to play to be involved in the World Cup – and look where that got me.
“I’m experienced, I’ve played at the highest level for a long time and done a lot of things in the game.
“I need to be an important player at that club and I think that can only happen with a permanent move.
“Of course, if I don’t find a solution which suits both parties, I’m contracted to Manchester City.
“I need to do what’s right for me and my family and that’s the decision I’ll be making. It’s a tough one, but it’s a situation which will be resolved.”
Many were surprised that Hart was included in the tour party after he was left out for the last two summers – but then he had loan moves in the offing, whereas there is nothing on the table for him at the moment.
But he maintains that his relationship with the club, and with Pep Guardiola is cordial, even though the manager made it plain from the off that he would be replaced, by bringing in Claudio Bravo.
Hart being in the squad, and playing 45 minutes at Soldier Field, puts him back in the spotlight, and he said his inclusion in the party was never in doubt.
“It was never going to happen, they would never have treated me like that,” he said.
“That’s not the relationship that we’ve got. I was never worried about that.
“As long as I’ve not signed for someone else then I’m here and work hard for this team. We’ll see what happens.” Hart is philosophical about the two loan moves, especially the tricky stay at West Ham, but he backs himself to bounce back from that. “It’s life, isn’t it? We’ve all got our own lives that go on,” he said. “Football is just a game. You deal with the ups and downs. “It’s difficult when you’re on loan, especially when you’re not a young player who people may have sympathy for. “I’m older and being who I am and what I am, I’m there to be shot at, especially if I go on loan to a club that doesn’t necessarily have a good season.
“I knew that when I went. I’m young. I feel fresh, I feel strong, I’m ready to go.
“And I’m ready to give a whole lot more to football. I want to play.
“At the moment I’m here and happy with how they’ve treated me. It’s obvious what’s going on.”
I’ve played at the highest level for a long time and done a lot of things in the game Joe Hart