The latest blunder in a long line of mishaps occurred against Stoke on Monday night, as he inexplicably fumbled a tame shot straight into the path of Peter Crouch. Only an Andy Carroll equaliser stopped West Ham from being dragged further into a relegation scrap.
Squillions have been squandered on transfers in the Premier League era but there have scarcely been few more disastrous loan deals.
The Hammers reportedly shelled out £4.5 million, to Hart and City combined, for the season. What they’ve got is an out-of-sorts, gaffe-prone relic of his former self who has made as many errors leading to goals this season (four) as any other English keeper in the Premier League put together. Hart’s appeared in 18 games – the rest a total of 179.
England manager Gareth Southgate is an astute man and he should quickly come to the conclusion that there is no logical reason for Hart to be included in his World Cup squad.
Joe Hart 😍 pic.twitter.com/hdgm8vFNJ9
— DANIEL. (@MAYERMUFC) April 16, 2018
That a player on the wane can offer leadership qualities in Russia is a paper-thin argument as, even with him being England’s third-string keeper, few in that dressing room would think he is deserving of his place.
Indeed the battle to save his international career has been over for a while. Now it’s fair to wonder whether Hart realises he is in a battle to save his career full stop.
Pep Guardiola has double-locked the doors back into the Etihad and there is surely no team in the world, not even in England, who would contemplate handing over six figures a week to this iteration of Hart.
There is a way back to respectability for Hart. Firstly Manchester City must not hold both him and a potential suitor to ransom, as they have failed to offload him permanently so far due to an exorbitant price tag.
He must also go somewhere that is both away from the spotlight – a West Ham side who had over-inflated expectations was a match made in hell – and where he can regain his swagger.
At his best, Hart was unshakable. One minute he could make a blunder, the next a world-class save. A place out of the public eye but where he can feel important, at the bottom of the Premier League or even the top of the Championship, would be ideal.
Pride has to be swallowed. To get back to where he wants to be, being an average Joe is the best place to start.
