Joe Hart has had his fair share of critics this summer.
His weak-wristed attempts to turn Kolbein Sigthorsson’s low shot turned out to be the knockout blow for England at Euro 2016 as Iceland dumped them out at the last 16 stage.
Over a week later, and the criticism is still coming thick and fast in the direction of the Manchester City stopper.
The latest to pipe up is former Manchester United goalkeeper, Fabian Barthez. In an interview with Sport Witness, the World Cup winner pulled no punches when asked about Hart.
“His diving technique isn’t good,” he explained.
“It’s too horizontal, not aggressive enough.
“He messes up because he doesn’t attack the ball’s path, meaning his hands are then pushed back by the impact with the ball.
“Hart is two levels below Neuer, Courtois and Lloris.”
Of course, those that remember Barthez’s stint between the sticks for Manchester United will know that the Frenchman was *never* the kind of keeper to drop the odd clanger here and there.
Nope. That definitely never happened.
Let’s hope for Joe Hart’s sake he’s on a faraway beach somewhere, well out of the way of the relentless criticism.
With Pep Guardiola now in place at Manchester City, some had suggested earlier in the year that Hart may be moved on. However, recent reports have suggested that despite his errors on international duty, Guardiola intends to keep faith in him.
