Former West Ham goalkeeping legend Phil Parkes has told Blowing Bubbles magazine that England keeper Joe Hart’s loan move to the London Stadium could be the ideal scenario for both parties.
Manchester City loaned Hart out to Italian side Torino last season, and with the World Cup in Russia a year away, he will be extra motivated to showcase the very best of his abilities in claret and blue this season.
“When he’s at his best, he’s a superb keeper and probably the number one in the country,” said Parkes. “Maybe now he has competition for the England spot, it could well sharpen his game and be of benefit for the Irons. He has had plenty of critics recently and how has the chance to put them in their place.”
Hart’s former City colleague Pablo Zabaleta is another new arrival who excites Parkes – ‘I reckon he could be good for us over the next three or four years’ – but it is the signing of Javier Hernandez which is the pick of the bunch.
“It’s an astonishing signing for the club,” said the double FA Cup winner. “He scores goals wherever he goes and is exactly what we need. Make most mistake, this lad really is one. I still can’t really believe it’s happened.”
Read more from Phil Parkes in his exclusive column in the latest edition of "Blowing Bubbles”:http://www.blowing-bubbles.co.uk/read-our-latest-issue.html