Former French international goalkeeper Fabien Barthez has slammed England and Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart in an interview with France Football.
Barthez criticised Hart’s diving technique, flexibility and revealed that he believes the City keeper is two levels below the likes of Manuel Neure, Thibaut Courtois and Hugo Lloris.
Barthez was quoted by Goal [via France Football]: “His diving technique isn’t good. It’s too horizontal, not aggressive enough. He messes up because he doesn’t attack the ball’s path, meaning his hands are then pushed back by the impact with the ball.
“Hart is two levels below [Manuel] Neuer, [Thibaut] Courtois and [Hugo] Lloris.
“He isn’t flexible and doesn’t come out. When he runs, it’s just ‘thud, thud, thud’. It’s heavy.”
Hart was England’s first choice goalkeeper in Euro 2016 and conceded four goals in four games including two against Iceland.
The City keeper kept just one clean sheet in France this summer – the goalless draw against Slovakia in the group stage.
Barthez believes there is a general problem with goalkeeping in English football and that it stems from the top.
The former Manchester United manager revealed that in his opinion the FA and Premier League are to blame for the problem with goalkeepers in England and that they must change their “philosophy” in regards to developing goalkeepers.
“I don’t understand the English culture around the position. They need huge guys, but they’re just walls that don’t come out,” Barthez added.
“Clubs and the FA need to change their philosophy in developing goalkeepers.”
Barthez spent four years at United between 2000-2004 and won two Premier League titles during his time in England. As a keeper he won every international trophy including the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship.
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