Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, ex-Man City defender Danny Mills has tipped Sky Blue icon and former shot-stopper Joe Hart to seal a Leeds United move this summer – going on to claim he would be a ‘fabulous addition‘ for the Championship club.
Signed by former boss Stuart Pearce from Shrewsbury Town in 2006 for a debatable £600,000 bargain fee, Hart eventually became a main-stay under former City manager Roberto Mancini after a season-long loan at Birmingham City over the 2009/2010 season.
The Englishman, usurping Shay Given in the Sky Blue starting eleven, started the opening day of the 2010/2011 campaign away to Tottenham Hotspur – putting in a match-saving performance for us and helping to secure a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane.
Is Joe Hart a Man City legend?
Of course he is
Not in my opinion
From thereafter, Hart became our number one choice between the sticks, going on to total 348 appearances for the club before he eventually fell out of favour with new boss Pep Guardiola in 2016 – going out on loan to Torino during the Spaniard’s first full season in charge.
Since then, the 33-year-old has played for both West Ham United and Burnley, but Mills thinks a switch to Leeds may well be on the cards considering the Whites could be in the market for a shot-stopper to succeed Kiko Casilla.
Indeed, currently at Turf Moor, Hart has found it difficult to oust first choice keeper Nick Pope this season – making just three appearances in all competitions according to WhoScored.
However, speaking to Football Insider, ex-Sky Blue teammate Mills claims he could still have plenty to offer Leeds.
“I think he has calmed down a little bit and realised that the mental side of it may be cost him a couple of mistakes,” explained the former City defender.
“Guardiola threw him under the bus before he’d even seen him play. It has been difficult for him but he is still a fabulous goalkeeper and there is no reason why he cannot come to a massive club like Leeds and resurrect his career.
“If you have a goalkeeper like that, if Leeds can get him on a free transfer, it would be a fabulous addition. He works incredibly hard, he is incredibly dedicated and is very fit.”
Whether or not Hart does make the summer switch remains to be seen, but one thing may be certain, most City supporters could be wishing him the very best for his career.