Goalkeeper: Joe Hart

Coauthored by Seth Johnson and Stephen Kirchner

Obtained from Google search “Joe Hart,” labeled for noncommercial reuse

Height: 196 cm

Weight: 86 kg

Senior Experience: 2003-present

Caps: 57

Club: Manchester City (English Premier League)

Season Statistics: 61 Saves; 13 Clean Sheets; 28 Goals Allowed; 29 Starts

Role and Projected Tournament Outlook:

After a strong season in goal for Manchester City, who sits fourth in the English Premier League table, goalkeeper Joe Hart is set to serve as the anchor for the English backline in the upcoming Euros. As one of the more experienced players on the squad—becoming just the sixth English goalie to reach 50 caps in March 2015—Hart is set to help lead the Three Lions out of Group B and into the knockout stage this summer (McNulty, “International,” 2015).

Hart served as a goalkeeper on the world stage for England in each of the last two World Cups, as well as the 2012 Euros, and is undoubtedly the choice in goal for Hodgson in the upcoming European championships. With just 39 goals against to accompany his 32 clean sheets in international competition, Hart is the best chance the Three Lions have of keeping opposing strikers off of the score sheet. In nine games in qualifying matches for the Euros, the starting goalkeeper managed to record nine wins, while only allowing three total goals (England Football Online, “Joe Hart,” 2016). Due to his experience between the pipes and leadership on Hodgson’s starting XI—he even captained in Wayne Rooney’s absence in 2015 (Taylor, 2015)—expect Hart to keep opponents Russia, Slovakia and Wales low scoring in the opening group stage, before being called upon to step up and keep opponents at bay while his offensive teammates press upfront.

How to cite this article: “Goalkeeper: Joe Hart” Written by Seth Johnson and Stephen Kirchner (2016), European Cup 2016 Guide, Soccer Politics Blog, Duke University, http://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/tournament-guides/european-cup-2016-guide/english-national-team/englands-projecting-starting-xi/goalkeeper-joe-hart/ (accessed on (date)).