The World Cup will be on the minds of players across the Premier League and that motivation needs to be considered when it comes to your draft. Joe Hart’s England spot is under threat and he will recognise the importance of playing regular first team football, which is why he has opted to leave Manchester City. The 30-year-old is set to join West Ham United on an initial loan deal with a view to a permanent, according to The Guardian. This provides an interesting option ahead of your Fantasy Football draft.
There has been a huge amount of speculation regarding the goalkeeper’s future, with a number of Premier League teams being linked. Chelsea and Manchester United, according to the Daily Mail, as well as Newcastle United, as per the Daily Mail, were both thought to be interested, but it is the Hammers who have won the race. Neither Darren Randolph or Adrian could secure the number one spot at the London Stadium, forcing Slaven Bilic to enter the market for a more reliable keeper. Although Hart has a lot to prove, he has won a Premier League title and will help build a winning mentality in the dressing room.
Is Joe Hart a good fit for West Ham?
After spending a year out of the Premier League, it was crucial that he returned to the league, as he wasn’t receiving the same attention and that damaged his reputation in this country. It will have been a big learning curve for him and he will be coming back to England with a point to prove, especially to Pep Guardiola.
Last season, West Ham conceded 64 goals, which ranked them in the bottom six defences in the league. This was certainly a problem that they needed to address, as it was significantly worse than the previous campaign. Although it wasn’t entirely due to their goalkeepers, they each made positional errors and Hart offers a huge improvement. He will be desperate to do well for the club and he has experience at the highest level. The Hammers would have struggled to attract a better player than Hart and it should be a marriage that suits both parties, and potentially your Draft Fantasy line-up.
What does his London move mean for Draft Fantasy managers?
Goalkeepers are never one of the first priorities when it comes to draft day, but Hart could be a shrewd pick-up. When drafting a keeper, you either want one that will make lots of saves or one that plays in a team with a great defence. Joe Hart could offer a good balance between the two, as he is a great shot-stopper and he will improve the defensive unit at the London Stadium. The club’s defensive record from last season is a worry, but the England international remains a viable option.
Depending on the size of your league, Hart could be a great match-up goalkeeper that is used interchangeably with another. It would be a huge risk to rely on him as a regular starter, as West Ham did have defensive problems last season. That said, he will be fighting for his England spot with more determination to succeed than he has ever had before. He is an interesting possibility, but there are more reliable goalkeepers that are better selections on draft day – especially in the earlier rounds.
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