James: Hart the best keeper in the world

Posted Tuesday, July 17, 2012 by ESPN

David James revealed that Joe Hart has overtaken Gianluigi Buffon as his choice as the best goalkeeper in the world.

Hart helped City win their first league title in 44 years last season with an excellent campaign in goal, keeping the most clean sheets in the division for the second season in the row and earning him a spot in the Premier League Team of the Season.

The 25-year-old was also the mainstay of the England squad at Euro 2012, playing every minute of their campaign and earning his 22nd international cap in the process.

His predecessor James believes that he is in an excellent position to establish himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

"Joe is 25 and has already earned more than 20 caps. He's in a very good position. The fans love him and regard him as the best goalkeeper in England by far.

"For years, Gianluigi Buffon was my favourite, but now it's Joe Hart.

"It's difficult to set the criteria by which you decide who the world's best keeper currently is, but I watch a lot of European football, and I can't think of a keeper who's impressed me more.

"I think that Gianluigi is still an extraordinary goalie, but he's had a lot of injuries and that has caused his level to drop somewhat ... Buffon is excellent at stopping mid-range shots and at positioning himself, but his kicking game is not what it should be.

"[Iker] Casillas has amazing reflexes, but he has trouble with crosses and he's average with the ball at his feet.

"Joe, meanwhile, is good at all these things, which makes him the most complete keeper playing at present."

Having been in the same squad as Hart in the 2010 World Cup, James revealed that he has witnessed first-hand Hart's abilities but points out that the lack of competition for the City goalkeeper in the England squad may be detrimental.

"When I was told that I wasn't going to start the first game [of the World Cup], my first thought was that it was Joe who would be picked."

"As I see it, the fact that Joe lacks competition is a bit of an issue," he noted.

"Goalkeeper is a unique position in that, if you're not injured or experience a huge drop in form, it's unusual for you to be replaced. Because of that, you need someone to keep pushing you so that you can maintain your fitness and your mindset.

"At the moment, clearly he's the best, but within three or four years, if a new keeper doesn't emerge to challenge him, it could become a bit of a problem. I have confidence in Jack Butland, though. I don't think it'll be long before he starts to knock on the door of the national side."