Burnley goalkeeper Joe Hart is to leave the club at the end of the month, according to BBC Sport’s Simon Stone, after it was confirmed that they would not be extending his contract. Hart joined the club in 2018 but has been unable to dislodge Nick Pope from the number one spot.
Joe Hart to Leave Burnley at the End of His Contract
Unable to Regain His Place
After arriving from Manchester City in the summer of 2018 for £3.5 million, Hart initially looked to be ahead of Pope in the pecking order. However, he lost his place in the side after a thumping 5-1 loss to Everton at Turf Moor in December of that year. Since then, his three further appearances for the club have come in cup competitions.
Burnley are not short of goalkeepers, either. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, who showed his talent at Leeds United in the Championship, has been waiting in the wings for his chance to shine, and Adam Legzdins is also on the books at the club. Prior to this season, current Aston Villa goalkeeper Tom Heaton was also with the Clarets but was struggling with injuries, just as he is now.
Fall From Grace
Hart has suffered a big fall from grace in recent years, having been part of two Premier League title wins with Manchester City in 2012 and 2014.
He suffered a poor Euro 2016 tournament with England and was highly criticised for his performance in the 2-1 win against semi-finalists Wales in the group stages. That summer, he was sent to Serie A side Torino on loan before being loaned to West Ham United for the next season.
Neither of those spells were particularly successful and the emergence of Pope at Burnley has only kept Hart out of the spotlight for longer.
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