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There's Bad News For One Of England's Goalkeeping Options

There's Bad News For One Of England's Goalkeeping Options

Gareth Southgate is yet to decide on his number one for the World Cup in Russia this summer.

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With only a few months left until the World Cup in Russia, it's typical that there aren't many discussions surrounding the possibility that this event could feature a number of great goals or even formulate some remarkable stories, as World Cups tend to do.

Instead, the debate has turned to where it normally goes before every major international tournament: the trivial matter of who should be starting in goal for England.

Would any of today's players get into Gazza's ultimate England XI:

Everyone has an opinion on it. Not least because it's one of the most vital positions in a team and one where a single mistake could define your whole career as an international player.

Who remembers what summed up Rob Green's whole eight-year reign for England, for instance?

The debate this year surrounding goalkeepers is about Gareth Southgate's choices: Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope or Joe Hart. That's right, nothing spectacular, more a blurred pool of mediocrity for Southgate to deliberate over.

However according to the Mirror there's bad news for two of those keepers. The paper report that Nick Pope won't be going to the World Cup but perhaps a bigger blow for Hart who is already set for the number three role.

The move to West Ham was supposed to save Hart's career. Image: PA Images
The move to West Ham was supposed to save Hart's career. Image: PA Images

Hart, is a four-time Golden Glove winner, who should be entering the twilight of his career with Manchester City.

I said 'should be'.

The Shrewsbury-born shot-stopper is now an England outcast, lacking in confidence and wallowing his time and remaining second-choice at relegation-battling side West Ham, with his last start seeing him concede following a couple of blunders after fans had protested on the pitch.

It's safe to say that Hart isn't having the best of times in the East End.


The fight for number one spot will be fought between Butland and Pickford, with the Everton goalie perhaps edging the race after earning a clean sheet in England's 1-0 friendly game victory against Holland.

But many may take pity on Hart, the man who has earned 75 caps for his national side and who was once revered and hailed as one of the greats of the game.

We can just hope he finds his former form again soon.

Words by Jacque Talbot.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Joe Hart, Football News, Russia 2018, England, Gareth Southgate, World Cup