The Fall of Joe Hart
Up until 2016, the career of Joe Hart was looking positively rosy. He had even been labeled as a “phenomenon” by none other than Lionel Messi in February 2015, after performing magnificently in a Champions League tie against Barcelona. A disastrous Euro 2016 a year and a half later, though, proved to be a downward turning point.
Some vague concerns were made about Shropshire born Hart’s performances at the 2014 World Cup. These were somewhat pernickety and overwhelmingly blighted by the lacklustre displays turned out by the ten men outfield. One incident, however, stands out as a link to his poor displays in 2016 for the national side. The infamous moment came in the dying seconds against Italy, after an Andrea Pirlo free kick had struck the bar and gone out for a goal kick. Hart was captured kicking the advertising board and bellowing, presumably at a ball boy, “hey, give me the fucking ball!”. This was the first obvious sign of the England number one’s ‘hyper-passion’, pushing on insanity.
At the Euros two years later, it had only become more exaggerated. Hart can be seen, almost comically, bellowing (in colourful language) encouragement to his teammates and himself in the tunnel before kick off. It’s a sight more akin to Mike Bassett: England Manager’s Gary Wackett. Getting yourself ‘in the zone’ and mentally boosted for a match is no bad thing, but Joe Hart’s actions seemed to border on mania.
The hyper-passion appeared to channel its way into Hart’s performances as he made poor attempts to stop two goals from Wales and Iceland. Both were low to his left, both he got a hand on. His overly enthusiastic diving style though, driven by his manic temperament, seemed to detract from the strength needed in his wrists to turn the ball around the post.
Next came the arrival of Pep Guardiola for the 16/17 season, exactly what Hart didn’t need on his road to post Euro 2016 retribution. The ex Bayern and Barca boss was almost immediate in his dismissal of Hart from his plans, requiring a keeper who had better ability with his feet.
The next two seasons saw two loan spells, firstly to Torino for a year. Hart’s performances were mixed in Serie A, but it was his loan the following season to West Ham United which saw his fall from grace fully consummated. Hart conceded ten goals in his first three games for the Hammers, and made a series of calamitous mistakes. After eighteen appearances he had made four errors leading to goals, as many as every English keeper in the league put together. David Moyes was even persuaded to drop Hart for Adrian at various points during the season, leading to Hart’s eventual eviction from the England’s 2018 World Cup Squad.
A glimmer of hope, however, has presented itself in the form of Sean Dyche. The Burnley manager swooped in to offer a revival opportunity to Joe Hart’s career, at the meagre price of £3.5 million for the Clarets. It comes, ironically, due to an injury to the man who kept Hart out of this summers England squad: Nick Pope.
Burnley’s water tight defence won plenty of plaudits last season, firing them to a Europa League qualifying spot. It seems the perfect place to recoup for Hart. It is unlikely his footwork will be called upon to help play out from the back, and the solidity of the Claret’s 4-4-2 block will provide comfortable protection. Of course, there is the risk that in a generally defensive minded team such as the East Lancashire side, his errors may become magnified. For the most part, however, Burnley’s tough defence should provide adequate cover for Hart. His England days are almost certainly over, but now he has been given the chance to extend his stay in the top leagues of football.
(Photo: Transfermarkt)