With England place under threat Hart must turn West Ham form around

Follow us on Google Discover

Joe Hart’s England place is under threat from Everton’s Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland of Stoke City – which could well benefit West Ham.

Joe Hart of England in action during the international friendly match against Brazil at Wembley Stadium.

West Ham United could be the real winners from Joe Hart’s place as England goalkeeper at the 2018 World Cup being under serious threat.

Jordan Pickford impressed for the Three Lions during the recent 0-0 international friendly draw with Germany and after the game, manager Gareth Southgate admitted there was no guarantee Hart would be picked ahead of the Everton star.

Gareth Southgate, manager of England, looks on prior to the international friendly match against Germany at Wembley Stadium.

“Jordan had an excellent game against Germany,” Southgate was quoted by the Sun.

“We’ve got a period now of six months for all our goalkeepers to show what they can do. Now is an opportunity for Joe to have experience against top opposition as well.

“We are all aware that there is really good competition for places in that area of the pitch.”

Stoke City stopper Jack Butland missed the games with the Germans and then against Brazil – a match in which Hart was reinstated between the posts – with a broken finger, but he too is pushing for a place.

Jordan Pickford talks to Joe Hart during an England training session.

It means that the 30 year old, who has 74 caps for his country and has been the number one choice since 2010, will now need to prove his worth for the Hammers with only two more international fixtures (against Netherlands and Italy in March) before the competition in Russia.

Life at the London Stadium has not started brilliantly for Hart since completing a season-long loan move from Manchester City, playing as part of a defence that has conceded 23 Premier League goals in 11 outings to date – the most in the division.

While that is not entirely the ‘keeper’s fault, of course, he has received individual criticism for some of his performances. Yet good form for the East Londoners from hereon in would benefit both the relegation-threatened club and Hart’s England ambitions.