The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Joe Hart

  • No Hart as Southgate approves 3-Lions squad

     

    On-loan West Ham goalie Joe Hart has been told he will not be part of the party to the World cup in Russia even as England coach Gareth Southgate is set to announce his 23-man squad on Wednesday.

    Southgate decided against taking Hart as his third choice goalkeeper behind Stoke City’s Jack Butland and Everton’s Jordan Pickford.

    The development is a huge plus for Burnley’s uncapped keeper Nick Pope who now looks to be in prime position to be named in the squad which heads for Russia on Tuesday, June 12.

    Hart was left out of West Ham’s starting XI by manager David Moyes for their final four games of the season, following their 4-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates in April.

    Gary Neville thinks England manager Gareth Southgate should be concerned about the form of the goalkeepers he has to choose from for the World Cup in Russia.

    The 31-year-old has been England’s first choice goalkeeper for the last three major tournaments and has 75 international caps.

    Swansea’s Alfie Mawson will also not be included in Southgate’s squad for the World Cup after he underwent successful knee surgery on Monday keeping him out for between six weeks and two months. Jack Wilshire is equally likely to miss out of the party according to reports.

    As part of the final phase of preparation before the world cup, the Three Lions will take Nigeria’s Super Eagles in a friendly on June 2nd at the Wembley Stadium. 

    England will open their campaign in Russia on the 18th of June against one of African representatives Tunisia Volgograd Arena. Their next match will be against World cup debutants Panama followed by the last group stage tie against Belgium at the Killingrand Stadium. If statistical permutations are anything to go by, England will win their matches against Tunisia and Panama but will lose the last group match against Belgium by a slim margin.

    The permutations indicate that the Three lions have 71% to 10% chance of defeating Tunisia,81% to 5% chance of defeating Panama but have only 32% chance of defeating Belgium and 29% chance of pulling a draw, while Belgium stand 39% chance of emerging victorious.

  • Joe Hart confirmed as England captain

    Joe Hart confirmed as England captain

    JOE Hart will captain England in the World Cup qualifier against Lithuania, manager Gareth Southgate has confirmed.

    With regular skipper Wayne Rooney not called up for the double-header against Germany and Lithuania, Gary Cahill wore the armband for the 1-0 loss to Dortmund.

    The Chelsea defender is suspended for Sunday’s game at Wembley, allowing Hart – who is currently on loan at Torino from Manchester City – to take up the honour.

  • Hart to captain England against Lithuania

    Hart to captain England against Lithuania

    Joe Hart will captain England in their World Cup Qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley on Sunday.

    The 29-year-old goalkeeper is currently on loan at Torino after losing his place at Manchester City when Pep Guardiola arrived at the Etihad and has played 28 times for the Italian club this season.

    Hart has played in all four of England’s qualifying matches in the competition, as well as the 2-2 friendly draw with Spain and Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat in Germany.

    Wayne Rooney and Jordan Henderson captained the side twice each in England’s four European Qualifying Group F matches to date, leaving Gareth Southgate’s side top of the table with three wins and a draw.

    Liverpool midfielder Henderson was also handed the armband for the game against Spain, while Chelsea defender Gary Cahill had the honour for the midweek game in Dortmund.

    Hart is enjoying working under Southgate and praised the former England centre-back for being prepared to make tactical changes within the side.

    England may have lost in Germany, with former Arsenal player Lukas Podolski scoring a stunning 25-yard winner in his final international, but Hart praised Southgate, who went with a three-man defence and encouraged his side to attack with intent whenever possible.

    “I loved the fact that we tried something new – a formation I have not personally played before,” said Hart

  • Hart: I´m not wanted at Manchester City

    Hart: I´m not wanted at Manchester City

    Joe Hart believes he is “surplus to requirements” at Manchester City and cannot foresee a return to his parent club.

    The 29-year-old England goalkeeper joined Torino on a season-long loan in August when new City boss Pep Guardiola made it clear that Hart would not be his first choice.

    And despite the shaky form of Claudio Bravo since his arrival at the Etihad Stadium, Hart believes his days as a City shot-stopper are numbered.

    “I’d say I’m pretty much surplus to requirements at my parent club at the moment,” Hart told the BBC’s Premier League Show.

    When asked if he saw that situation changing, Hart replied: “Not really. I’ve got to be realistic. I love that club and I’ve always said that as long as they wanted me, I would be there.

    “But I was always cautious when I said that because I’m aware that at the big, big clubs stuff can change quickly as can opinions and people in charge.

    “Not everyone is going to like you, not everyone is going to want to play you and that’s the business side of it, which I’ve grown into and I’m certainly not going to take personally.

    “I want to play football, I love to play football so if that opportunity is not going to be given there then I’m going to have to look elsewhere and may have to make somewhere else my home.”

    Despite his arrival leading to Hart’s departure from the club he first joined in 2006, the goalkeeper says he holds no animosity towards Guardiola.

    “He did what he had to do, he did what he felt was right. He didn’t do it to ruin my life, he did it because he thought that was what was right for him to win as a manager,” he said.

    Hart would not be drawn on his likely destination if he did leave City permanently.

    “I’m open. I love the Premier League, I absolutely love Premier League games. Removing myself as a footballer, I watch the Premier League. It’s a great league, fantastic football is played in it,” he said.