Manchester City owned goalkeeper Joe Hart has failed to impress during his time at West Ham this season, losing his place in the team early in the season to Adrian.
Things seem to have gone in a downhill spiral for Joe Hart since Pep Guardiola deemed him surplus to requirements in the summer of 2016.
The England veteran, still only 30, failed to impress Torino enough on loan to warrant a new deal, whilst his West Ham hopes this season were slashed after a string of poor performances led to him being dropped for the previous Hammers number one Adrian.
To be brutally honest, Hart has simply looked out of his depth as a first team ‘keeper and does not seem to have regained confidence after it took a serious knock following the humiliation of being cut by Guardiola. Irrespective of this, West Ham coach Stuart Pearce believes the shot stopper still has a part to play for England, and will be on the plane to Russia.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Pearce said: “Gareth Southgate knows exactly what sort of goalkeeper Joe is and what his worth is to a squad as well.
“Joe Hart has a wealth of experience, he’s a fantastic age for a goalkeeper. Gareth will decide who he’s going to take and form will dictate that, who’s playing well for their clubs.
“But he will look at who has got some sort of CV as well. Gareth will know the worth of having Joe in the squad as a personal as well as a goalkeeper.”
Fans may disagree with Pearce, but the former Hammers player turned coach may have a point. The rest of England’s goalkeeping options may have decent quality, but their inexperience in undeniable, with only a handful of caps each. Going into a World Cup, big tournament experience is always crucial.
The likes of Jordan Pickford or Jack Butland may start between the sticks for England at Russia, but Joe Hart’s sheer presence in the squad may be greatly beneficial to the young goalies, when it comes to calming nerves and building their confidence.
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