Joe Hart’s move to Tottenham earlier this week may well have raised a few eyebrows.
The former England number one has slipped from prominence in recent years, which might lead some to question why Tottenham have signed him.
We’ve picked out three reasons it makes sense…
Homegrown quota
The homegrown quota was intended to increase the number of academy players in the squads of Premier League clubs.
What’s actually happened is a tendency for elite clubs to sign ageing English goalkeepers to be third choice and fill one of those eight spots.
Jose Mourinho did it at Manchester United with Lee Grant, and Scott Carson has just moved back on loan to Manchester City.
Hart may not view his own career as wound down to the same extent as those two stoppers, but that’s the role he currently finds himself in.
Vorm replacement
With Michel Vorm leaving Spurs, they needed a third-choice goalkeeper.
Some may wonder why one of Tottenham’s young guns, such as Alfie Whiteman, couldn’t fill that role.
But the arrival of Hart should allow him to go out on loan; playing every week is better for his development at this stage of his career than waiting for the odd game at Spurs.
Vorm was called upon in one FA Cup game last term – against Norwich – which shows Hart might be needed at some stage.
Trophy winner
Hart has won two Premier Leagues, two EFL Cups and the FA Cup.
That experience around the dressing room could be invaluable to a squad which lacks trophy-winning nous at a club which hasn’t won a trophy since 2008.
Given that much of Hart’s role revolves around his influence on the group off the pitch, that winning knowhow should help Jose Mourinho get his message across more effectively this season.
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