OPINION
If West Ham needed anymore reasons to not keep Joe Hart at the club beyond this season then the board should look at Glenn Hoddle’s latest remarks about the goalkeeper.
The 31-year-old keeper has spent the current season at the Hammers on loan from Manchester City and is due to return to his parent club in the summer.
Hart is expected back at The Etihad even though he appears to have no future at Man City, according to the Daily Star, and will most likely be looking for a new club shortly.
The keeper has failed to impress at the London Stadium this season, losing his status as a guaranteed starter, as he has conceded 42 goals in 23 appearances and made several high-profile mistakes.
Despite his current campaign being an absolute living nightmare and the Hammers putting themselves at the real risk of looking foolish by keeping him, it’s not guaranteed that the London-based club won’t sign him.
There have been mixed reports about the colossus’ Hammers future.
The Daily Mirror previously reported that the Hammers were open to the idea of permanently signing Hart upon his loan deal expiring in the summer.
This contradicted what The Sun previously claimed, as they stated that David Moyes’ side were unlikely to try and keep Hart at the club beyond his current loan deal.
So while it should be a simply decision to wave goodbye to the calamitous keeper, until Hart permanently signs for another club other than Man City who really knows what the future holds.
However hopefully the Hammers hierarchy read Hoddle’s latest comments about the shot-stopper as it sums up perfectly why he shouldn’t be at the club next season.
Hoddle opted to deliver a brutal verdict on the current state of the 6ft 4in tall goalkeeper’s career when assessing who England manager Gareth Southgate should take to the World Cup.
“It’s sad that Joe Hart isn’t at the peak of his career now at 31,” wrote Hoddle in his column for the Daily Mail.
“Really, he should have huge authority and poise now, he’s still capable of outstanding performances but there have been too many mistakes.”
The 60-year-old may have tried to soften the criticism by saying he is still capable of outstanding performances at times, but overall it would be a painful assessment to read if you’re Hart.
Hoddle’s remarks imply that the 31-year-old may have missed the boat when it comes to getting any better, as he should have hit his peak by now, and the Hammers need a goalkeeper who is still able to improve if anything.
Moyes’ side suffered from uncertainty between the sticks this season and it would be nice for the club to sign a long-term solution to their goalkeeping problems in the summer, something Hart is not.
Therefore Hoddle’s remarks once and for all prove that the 31-year-old should not be wearing a West Ham jersey next season.
