It’s a discussion that has popped up from time-to-time this Premier League season, and Joe Hart wishes it wouldn’t.
The longtime Manchester City and England goalkeeper, currently on loan at Torino, recognizes he probably won’t be going back to the Etihad Stadium to defend the goal for City.
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In a sprawling and interesting interview with the BBC’s Premier League Show, Hart talks about Pep Guardiola, hearing his name in the rumor mill, and his future intentions.
As much as it’s expected that Premier League teams will line up to buy England’s No. 1, Hart doesn’t think he’ll necessarily be back in the PL.
From the BBC:I’m open. I love the Premier League, I absolutely love Premier League games. Removing myself a footballer, I watch the Premier League. It’s a great league, fantastic football is played in it.
I know it really well but I wouldn’t say it was top of my wish list. Top of my wish list is to play for a club that wants me to be their goalkeeper.
Everton, it is!
Seriously, though, Hart would supplant that the starter at any number of Premier League teams. Perhaps it’d be better to count who wouldn’t have interest provided their No. 1 sticks around: Manchester United, Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Southampton, Tottenham, Burnley, Leicester, West Brom... maybe Stoke City if Jack Butland finally returns to health.
That leaves three promoted clubs, Everton, Liverpool, Sunderland, Hull City, Swansea City, West Ham, Watford, and Crystal Palace. Three of those could put him in London, and West Ham does kinda seem like a fit, doesn’t it?
There could also be two decent-sized clubs coming up from the Championship and in need of a better keeper next season as well. We expect to see Hart starting PL matches next season.