Capello hints at Hart call up

February 19, 2008

FLYING HIGH: Joe Hart in action in the derby

ENGLAND boss Fabio Capello has hinted that City goalkeeper Joe Hart will receive a senior call up for the forthcoming friendly against France.

Capello reckons David James' recall in goal against Switzerland is proof of the lack of depth in the English game, noting that the number of foreign players in the Premier League means "the pool is reduced" when it comes to squad selection.

England play at the Stade de France on March 26 and the Italian's goalkeeping options are limited, with Scott Carson out of favour following his howler against Croatia in November, Paul Robinson on the bench at Tottenham and Manchester United's Ben Foster currently injured.

Capello told Rai Radio Anch'io in Italy: "Only 38% of the players are English.

"The pool is reduced.

"I have had to reinstate a 37-year-old goalkeeper but I have spotted one in the Under-21s who is very interesting."

Do you think Hart is ready for a senior call up? Have your say.

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Icicle Boy (19/02/2008 at 09:22)

Well done Mr Pearce, one of your signings! He certainly is a cracking keeper, who will get better! What an exciting crop of youngsters we've got! CTID

DJ, Chorlton (19/02/2008 at 09:22)

Other papers are reporting this as a dead cert. Hart to get the call up for the France game. Personally I would prefer him to play in the U21's until next season. That is what the U21's is supposed to be for

Maxie Fergie (19/02/2008 at 09:31)

Of course he's ready.
What a perfect game to "blood" the young man.

I am certain that he is destined to become the best English goalkeeper since Frank Swift.

Number 1 is Johno, Number 2 is Johno.................!!!!!!!!!!!!!, Manchester (19/02/2008 at 09:33)

HE DESERVES TO BE ON THE BENCH AT LEAST.

pete's sake (19/02/2008 at 09:33)

"Capello told Rai Radio Anch'io in Italy: "Only 38% of the players are English.

"The pool is reduced."

Tells you something about English players.. no wonder Sven is looking abroad for his buys, his five-year experience with the "cream" of English players obviously did not convince him.. Perhaps time to lower the aims or at least the expectations for what that team can achieve!

bbcity Caboolture Australia (19/02/2008 at 09:34)

Ready AND Able..

12 year old blue (19/02/2008 at 09:40)

he is a great keeper, this could have two effects:
1.he could get too big for his bootsand want to leave for a biigger club (this is highly unlikely as we are a big club)
2.he could become even more confident and become an even greater keeper (this is the more likely of the two outcomes)

12 year old blue (19/02/2008 at 09:41)

i think that this will really help him and his confidence levels and he will become an even better player

Reidus, Cambridge (19/02/2008 at 09:46)

astonishing turn-around from being 3rd choice at start of season. i rate him highly but the ultimate test of a quality keeper is how he reacts to a howler, which he hasnt had yet (and hopefully he never will).

Bluetonium, Manchester (19/02/2008 at 09:50)

He should at least be part of the qualifying squad as backup to get some needed experience - maybe a game or two in friendlies and against lesser opposition too. But it just shows the sad state of affairs in English football that we have so little to choose from. Not to play down Hart's talent - he will be an England keeper I am sure, and a good one - but there must be less than 10 English keepers getting regular Premiership experience anyway.
I just don't want Joe to step up and end up taking all the flack for another limp England display. That would ruin his confidence and affect his City performances too. Keepers start to come into their own in late 20s - lets hope England and the media don't spoil this great talent before he even reaches his full potential!

simonh (19/02/2008 at 09:54)

Being called up too early has set back the prospects of a string of young English keepers. Would be a shame to see this happen to Hart, talented though he is.

tolpuddleman, heywood (19/02/2008 at 09:57)

...fantastic !!!!!!!

Scooby Blue, South Stand 216 (19/02/2008 at 10:18)

He's top quality ..I've not seen a better English keeper this season except maybe David James....but it's the future Capello is looking at and Joe is certainly that !!

mad pierre, midlands (19/02/2008 at 10:19)

bottom line is that the so called golden generation were a damp squib. NONE of the current england players would cut it in seriea or la liga because they dont have the intelligence or technique. our expectations are too high and the egos of most of the select few just make things worse. look at italia 90 and that team with beardsley lineker waddle gasgoine etc were much better than the present crop of celebrity wannabees.

The Big Ecuadorian, Ecuador (19/02/2008 at 10:19)

Yo Hart, for sure :-)

Jack Thorley, Trafford (19/02/2008 at 10:21)

When you are a young player you are allowed to make mistakes its called the learning process. Joe has done well this season but has shown his lack of experience at times especially on crosses.He has all the attributes to be a top class keeper but to play for England is a big ask for one so young and inexperienced.

Sunny, Maastricht- Ex-Whalley Range (19/02/2008 at 10:24)

This is a good bit of news for Joe and for City. The France game, like the next few before the WCQ's start, are Capello's chance to see who's who.

Joe may not be ready yet but should he play - and do well - his confidence (already high) is going to be through the roof. Which can only be good for his City career. His stock will rise too. It's a win-win for us, and for Joe.

Impeccable (19/02/2008 at 10:39)

DJ, Chorlton...

Joe Hart should stay with the U21's? So, by your argument the likes of Daniel Sturridge should be kept in the youth team? If they're good enough... THEY'RE GOOD ENOUGH. Regardless of age.

Weasel (not McKay), Stockport (19/02/2008 at 10:41)

Jack Thorley, I would have said exactly the same about him playing for City - no experience and too young. He's proved everyone wrong and been superb for us.

Doesn't matter about age. If your good enough your old enough.

Kevcod, Worthing (19/02/2008 at 10:50)

Of course he's ready.I always felt a bit nervous about Kasper, but Yo, as Sven calls him, inspires confidence. David James has a bit of a dodgy reputation but he was brilliant for us. Joe is something different. Young, but with a great presence in the box. He's keeping a very good , quite young,experienced international keeper out in the cold so Sven must see something good in him too. Get Micah and Jonno in there to Fabio!! City.. the future of Englaish football!!

wheres trumann gone? (19/02/2008 at 11:00)

This just underlines the sorry state that English football has been allowed to get itself into. A good keeper with great prospects, but international standard? No. He got nowhere near that shot in the photo (!)

STONEY Mancunia (19/02/2008 at 11:14)

Looks like we'll have 3-4 City players at the next world cup.If we qualify of course..

barnham blue (19/02/2008 at 11:35)

I've assumed for a while that Joe would play for the U-21s in the Euro finals if they make it, then come the WCQs he'd be in the senior squad, possibly even first pick. Plus Johno and Micah, of course

As for the photo - it looks to me that Joe couldn't have done more to get in front of the shot and at least put Quasimodo off. Just look at the way he's throwing himself at it!

dennis tueart's lovechild, Bury (19/02/2008 at 11:44)

Is he too young?...... was Micha too young to make his debut away against Holland???

If Capello's 'hints' are to be believed, I would give him a run out, it will all be about Joe gaining experience.

Capello knows he needs a batch of good golakeepers. David James has been in excellent form for Pompey, as he was at City, but his age will be a problem soon. I am sure Paul Robinson will return to form, remember how good he was against us in the Carling Cup!

Give Joe a chance, potentially he could be as good and great as Frank Swift, Bert Trautman, Joe Corrigan, Tony Coton and Keith McRae!

kippaxblue, denton (19/02/2008 at 11:46)

jack Thorley - you make out that it would be some kind of 'level too far' for joe to play for England. The current national team is, at the moment, on a footballing par with Kazhakstan and a complete embarrassment to the nation. If he were asked to put on a performance ala rio, becks, Lampard & co then in conclusion ......its a step down for Joe

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