Lescott Admits Lack of Football Could Cost Him Trip To Brazil

  Joleon Lescott has admitted that losing his place in the Manchester City side, may well have cost him his place in the England squad for next summer’s World Cup.

  Having made his senior debut in a 3-0 win over Estonia in 2007, he has been a regular in the English national team ever since.  However, losing his place in the Manchester City starting line-up  has had a knock on effect, after making only two appearances for his country since the turn of the year.

     When asked about his chances of reinstating himself in the England squad, he replied, “It does not look like I am going at the minute. I have not been in the last few squads, so it is going to be hard. But if I am playing for city and we are progressing in the Champions League and the title race, then there might be a place for me. I have not given up.”

  The frustration for Lescott is that when Vincent Kompany is fit, there is only realistically one spot open in central defence, with Matija Nastasic and Martin Demichellis both competing with him for it. And with Lescott in the final year of his contract, he may not have too many opportunities to earn himself an extension. “It is hard not playing. No professional enjoys it and I am no different. It is not great not playing in the last year of my contract. The situation is not ideal, but I just have to try to play well when I am given the opportunity.”

   The success Lescott has helped bring to Manchester City has made him a firm favourite among the City faithful, however he may be forced to leave the club in the summer and the fact he is in the final year of his contract means he will have few opportunities. Lescott said, “I want to stay, that is the main thing. But the club have not approached me yet, so I don’t know what the situation is with them  I am not just going to leave a club for the sake of it, but at the end of the season I would have to. So nothing can happen now. I can’t speak to any clubs, and no clubs can approach me. But when that opportunity comes, if it does come in January, I will have to look at that.”

  While Lescott will probably not be going to the World Cup, Hart definitely will even though it may not be as Manchester City’s first choice keeper. Lescott, who is one of the England keeper’s closest friends, said: “Joe is obviously a world class keeper, and when you have a dip in form you are going to be scrutinised. It cost him his place in the team but I am sure when he gets back playing consistently he is going to perform at the highest level again. Every player has to come through tough periods like this. Joe is no different and I would not expect anything less.”

   Despite starting 123 successive games for Manchester City, his recent performances have led to his replacement in the team. “He will be stinging from this. He wants to play every game, we all do. I don’t think he will be proud that he is not playing. Everyone was watching because he is Joe Hart. He has made himself that name and that character. No matter what, he will be scrutinised because he is England’s number one. I think he will prove to the world that he is as good as anyone out there.”

 

  

Hart Still Out of Favour With Pellegrini

  Manuel Pellegrini has promised that Joe Hart still has a future at Manchester City, amid speculation that he could be replaced or sent out on loan in the January transfer window. Since returning from Birmingham City on loan, Joe Hart has been a permanent fixture in Manchester City’s squad. However, a string of high profile mistakes, both for club and country, have cost him his place in the starting XI. Romanian international goalkeeper, Costel Pantillimon has impressed hugely since replacing Hart, leaving manager Manuel Pellegrini with a headache over his selection.

  Pellegrini has already confirmed that Hart will start in goal for Manchester City in Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Czech side Viktoria Plzen. When questioned on whether Hart would be making a return to the squad for Sunday’s game at home to Swansea, the Chilean replied, “That’s a question for next Saturday. On Wednesday he will start then the next game we'll talk about who will start playing. The important thing for Joe is he will play on Wednesday and we hope he will have a very good performance.”

  Recently, Manchester City have been linked with a winter move for the likes of Victor Valdez and Iker Casillas, amid speculation Joe Hart could be sent out on loan for the remainder of the season. Rumours which Pellegrini, was quick to deny. He said, “There is a lot of news about five, six, seven goalkeepers that we want to buy but it's not true. Of course he stays. There is no chance for Joe Hart to go out from this squad in January.”

  However, aside from Wednesday’s game with Viktoria Plzen, there was no indication as to whether Joe Hart would be making a return to the side any time soon. With Hart’s positioning and decision making coming under such scrutiny in recent months,  and Costel Pantillimon proving he is more than up to the job in goal, Pellegrini may feel it is too much of a risk to bring him back so soon.

   Joe Hart’s mistakes have been costly for Manchester City on numerous occasions over the past twelve months, most recently allowing Fernando Torres a last gasp winner at Stamford Bridge. This, along with a below par performance at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and errors against Sweden, Scotland and Germany for his country, suggest that complacency may have crept in, for a man who was not long ago, considered to be among the best in his trade.

  The managers’ apparent lack of backing will be another blow for Joe Hart, whose place in England’s World Cup squad is far from certain.  With the likes of Norwich City’s John Ruddy, and Celtic’s Fraser Forster snapping at his heels, Hart will want to ensure as much game time as possible to prove his worth to the England boss.  He will certainly have to impress the manager and fans alike, if he is to eradicate the memory of his mistakes, and convince everyone he is England’s, and Manchester City’s number one choice.