Three possible destinations for Manchester City’s Joe Hart, should he leave this summer

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When it was announced that Pep Guardiola was to take the reins at Manchester City, one of the first stories to emerge claimed he wanted to replace goalkeeper Joe Hart. As things stand, Hart is with City in pre-season training and looks set to remain with them for the time being, despite rumours of a move for Claudio Bravo and Guardiola’s former Bayern Munich charge Manuel Neuer. Hart is a goalkeeper of outstanding quality, and an important part of two title winning teams. The zenith of his club career to date was arguably the masterful clinic of goalkeeping he put on in the Nou Camp against Barcelona in March 2015. He has had his low points too; notably Euro 2016 and when he was dropped by Manuel Pellegrini in the middle of the 2013-14 season.

Hart’s kicking and distribution has always been viewed as a weakness in his game, which could prove problematic under Guardiola. His goalkeepers are very much viewed as the team’s 11th outfield player; Neuer often completed more passes than several opposition players over the course of a typical Bayern league match. The role of goalkeeper in a dominant team can be a lonely one; they go a long time without involvement in the game and every error can lead to a conceded goal. It takes a great deal of self-assurance to deal with this pressure, something Hart has in abundance. His cocksure nature also means he is an easy punch bag when things go wrong. We looked at three possible destinations for Hart should Guardiola decide to make a change between the sticks.

Arsenal

The Gunners may appear well stocked for goalkeepers with Petr Cech, David Ospina and Wojciech Szczesny on the books. However, Cech may only have a season or two left at the age of 34. He struggled after returning from a calf injury towards the end of last season and was beaten with shots from outside the area more often than any other Premier League goalkeeper. Nevertheless, Cech was outstanding for the majority of the campaign and will remain Arsenal’s No 1; but they would be wise to start planning for the future.

Ospina enjoyed another impressive Copa America, and is a well-regarded goalkeeper across Europe. He is a solid shot-stopper and an above-average number two, but his reputation isn’t helped by the fact he makes every aspect of goalkeeping look extremely difficult. Ospina doesn’t make many glaring errors, but makes hard work of things that should be simple. He also doesn’t make many errors because he doesn’t take any risks; he stays on his line and fails to command much beyond his six-yard line. He also has annoying habit of falling back behind his goal-line, when a more proactive starting position could see him keep certain attempts out (like this one).

Szczesny has every attribute you could possibly want in a top-class goalkeeper, but Arsene Wenger and his staff remain unconvinced he has the mentality and temperament to warrant a recall. The Pole is set to return to Roma on-loan, and serious doubts remain over his long term Arsenal future. City would be reluctant to sell Hart to Arsenal, but if the timing is right, passing the goalkeeping baton from Cech to Hart would be an attractive proposition from the Gunners’ perspective.

Juventus

Replacing Gianluigi Buffon is an unenviable task, but it is one that that the Old Lady must start planning for given that Buffon has made his intentions clear to retire in two years’ time at the age of 40. The legendary stopped showed no signs of slowing up at the European Championship, a vital cog in an impressive Italy side eliminated by Germany on penalties in the quarter-finals. Juventus could choose to promote second choice Brazilian goalkeeper Neto, who made just three league appearances last season.

However, replacing Buffon could well require someone of greater stature and standing within the game. Italian clubs typically look within Italy and Serie A to strengthen, but should they look abroad Hart would surely be on their radar; along with other Premier League goalkeepers Thibaut Courtois and David de Gea. The fierce scrutiny applied by the Italian sporting press means Hart would be under immense pressure, but it might be the sort of challenge he needs. Too often Hart has appeared in something of a comfort zone and a move abroad might shake him out of this.

Everton

Many would claim a move to Goodison Park is a marked step down for Hart, but with Toffees flush with cash the transfer is not unfeasible. Tim Howard’s form declined considerably towards the end of his Everton career and there is plenty of room to upgrade on the American. Maarten Stekelenburg has been recruited from Fulham this summer. The former Ajax goalkeeper and Holland No 1 is a solid goalkeeper, and made 17 Premier League under Ronald Koeman last term while on loan at Southampton.

However, the 33-year-old has spent playing well below the top-level of football and Hart is four years his junior. If Everton are to scale the heights of the Premier League under new owner Farhad Moshiri, Stekelenburg is certainly a player they can upgrade upon. Joe Hart is presumably well settled in the north-west, and with a move to Manchester United out of the question, a move to Everton might interest him. It would certainly be an almighty coup for the new regime at Goodison.

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