TO GO! Joe is desperate to leave Manchester City behind The keeper who went from laughing to laughing stock
Jadon proves his worth in Bundesliga
AS FALLS go Joe Hart’s has been beyond spectacular – and a harsh lesson for any Premier League player even when the world is seemingly at your feet.
For Hart that was exactly the problem – his feet, at least according to Pep Guardiola.
When he took over at Manchester City in 2016, the Spanish coach didn’t rate Hart’s dexterity on the ball or his ability to become the football-playing sweeper-keeper that Guardiola wanted.
Without hesitation, Guardiola ruthlessly discarded Hart, shipping him out to Serie A also-rans Torino.
Now after underwhelming loan spells in Italy and at West Ham last season, 31-yearold Hart is temporarily back at City for the last year of his contract with Guardiola wanting to find “a solution” for the fans’ favourite.
It is said he is at the crossroads – but it’s worse than that. Hart’s in a cul-de-sac with his career quite possibly set for another downturn.
Disastrous
Speculation has surfaced Hart may be an option for Chelsea if they lose Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid this summer. A quick look at Chelsea fan-sites tells you that would be a disastrous move as far as Blues supporters go with Hart’s career in freefall. Once he was England’s undisputed No.1, winning his 75th cap as recently as last November against Brazil at Wembley. But after erratic displays for the Hammers he was ditched by Gareth Southgate and was a bystander as Everton star Jordan Pickford excelled on the way to a World Cup semi-final with England in Russia. It’s the moves that have got away so far this summer that are the real worry for Hart, and evidence that his stock is at an all-time low. The two-time Premier League winner – valued as little as £5million by City – wasn’t even on the radar for Premier League newcomers Wolves who have snapped up Portugal keeper Rui Patricio instead. And when Manchester United were looking for a back-up keeper with Sergio Romero out with a long-term injury they turned to Stoke City reserve Lee Grant.
Liverpool were once continually linked with Hart. But though they’ve had big problems with Champions League blunder keeper Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet, boss Jurgen Klopp stayed well clear of the City goalie.
Now he’s signed Roma’s Brazilian star Alisson in a world record £66.8million deal.
And that’s Hart-breaking for a keeper who was once destined to scale the heights for club and country. ENGLAND starlet Jadon Sancho admits he had a point to prove to his old club Manchester City.
Sancho impressed as a second-half substitute in Borussia Dortmund’s 1-0 friendly win over City and the teenager was clearly motivated by playing against Pep Guardiola’s side.
The winger quit City to move to Dortmund for £8million last August because he was frustrated at not making a single senior appearance under Guardiola.
For City, Sancho is the one who got away and he said: “It was nice to see my old team-mates. I’m glad we won. I’m happy to play against my old club. I had a point to prove.
“I think I did well in the game and hopefully it carries on.”
Unlike at City, Sancho feels valued at Dortmund and he played 12 games for them last season, scoring one goal and making four assists.
Coach Lucien Favre is excited by Sancho’s potential and the youngster, who spent two-and-a-half years at City, was chuffed to be praised by him.
“I’m very happy to hear that,” said the Londoner. “I’m glad he has faith in me and that’s the main thing going forward. For myself, I want a great season. Goals, assists, I want to help the team win.
“I’m very happy in Dortmund. Last season I was just getting my bearings in the Bundesliga. For my first game, my heart was pounding, but I’m getting used to it now.”
Sancho, 18, was delighted by England’s World Cup success and hopes the faith that Gareth Southgate (below) has shown in young players can help him earn a senior call-up.
He was part of England’s Under-17 World Cup-winning squad with City’s Phil Foden until he was withdrawn by Dortmund before the knock-out stages.
“If I keep working hard then hopefully I can play with the national team, although there are some good players,” Sancho said.