After missing out on Champions League football, Tottenham Hotspur were expected to make a couple of changes to their squad. Having already signed Dutch international Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Jose has landed Joe Hart in a surprise deal. The former Manchester City man was actively on the lookout for a club prior to securing the move.
Joe Hart had exited the Etihad Stadium in a somewhat controversial manner with Pep making it clear before the season that the England international was surplus to requirements. Dissapointing spells with Torino, West Ham United and Burnley followed, with the player experiencing poor form and an alarming fall in stock since.
But it is clear that a player of his quality still has much to offer, as stated by Hart himself.
“I feel I’ve got a lot of quality and a lot in the bank.
“I’m here to help the team any way I can. Be it on the field, off the field, I’m here to try and push the club forward.
“No getting away from it, it has been a couple of difficult years for me on the football field – but I feel I’ve got so much more to give.”
Joe Hart And His Accolades
Having started his senior career with Shrewsbury Town back in 2003, Joe Hart turned into the first choice keeper for Manchester City in 2010.
He was a mainstay at the club for over six years, during which he managed to win two league titles, two League Cups and an FA Cup.
Hart also won four Golden Gloves in the Premier League era, a joint-record in England and is easily one of the most experienced players in his role in the country.
However, having turned 33 earlier this year, Hart is no longer a part of the senior squad in England and was only a backup for Nick Pope at Burnley last season.
Hart joined Burnley in 2018 and made 19 league appearances in his first season at Turf Moor but last season, he made three appearances and decided to not renew his contract with the club.
Till date, he has 340 top-flight appearances in English football and is a decent coup for Spurs.
Smart Move By Jose?
Unless Jose Mourinho decides to sell, Hugo Lloris should remain the first choice for the club next season as well.
The French international has been susceptible in the last couple of seasons but has been an excellent servant and is likely to be given another year at least to turn his form around.
Mourinho has Paulo Gazzaniga, who started 17 league games last season, as a backup for Lloris. The Argentine was decent in goal and at just 28 years of age, could be a useful option in the long term, even though there have been questions as to whether he can fit into a Spurs team who ideally want to compete regularly for the top 4.
Hence, it does not come as a surprise that Jose has decided to bolster the position with Joe Hart, especially given that it was a free transfer with no alarming wage issues.
What was alarming though was Lloris’ dip in form for Spurs and his injury history also does not provide for a good read. So it is evident that Mourinho is not totally convinced with the options at his disposal for this role.
With Hart’s signing, Spurs will have three goalkeepers in their ranks, all of whose contracts terminate in 2022. So Mourinho might use all three of them over the course of the season, and stick with just the two come the start of 2021/22 season. The deal also gives the club to consider their options before deciding on their next long-term No.1.
Whatever his on-field role is, the former Manchester City man brings loads of experience and will be an influence in the dressing room that can change the fortunes of the club and is clearly a big character, the likes of which Jose prefers having on his team.