Dec

Birmingham’s Joe Hart for England?

Best English stopper in the Premiership?

The best goalkeeper in the English Premier League at the moment is Shay Given, the Manchester City goalie. After that, there is a bit of debate with either Mark Schwarzer of Fulham or Joe Hart being a very good shout for the next best stopper.

Hart is still contracted to City but is currently on loan at Birmingham City. The blues from Birmingham have been on a fantastic run of late and like most teams, a strong reason for success is a mean defence.

No one is saying that keeping a clean sheet is entirely the work of a goalkeeper but Hart is doing his best for his team. Anyone who watched the game versus Chelsea will understand how the young keeper is able to influence his team.

With this in mind, should Fabio Capello be giving Joe Hart a run out in the England squad in the friendlies before the 2010 World Cup?

Who else is in the running to be the English number one at the World Cup?

David James: Still the front runner but injuries are starting to add up for the aging stopper
Robert Green: Displaying a poor run of form and the relegation battle is unlikely to place him in a positive mood.
Ben Foster: Now rated third in line for the Manchester United goalkeeper spot and unless he goes out on loan, will find first team appearances very limited at Old Trafford.
Paul Robinson: Coming into form and could be a strong shout to force his way back into the squad
Chris Kirkland: Too injury prone and not one to inspire confidence in his back line. Kirkland, without being cruel, does not come across as a top player.

Joe Hart seems to be in better form than all of the other English rivals for the World Cup gloves, so Mr Capello should give Hart some serious consideration.

Of course, when it comes to looking to players for the World Cup, the following would be a bonus as well: