Gareth Southgate backs Joe Hart as England No 1 keeps his place for World Cup qualifiers

Gareth Southgate is sticking by Joe Hart
Gareth Southgate is sticking by Joe Hart Credit: ACTION IMAGES

Joe Hart will remain England’s first-choice goalkeeper with manager Gareth Southgate keen to dampen down the “speculation and uncertainty” over the 30-year-old’s future by picking him to face Malta and Slovakia in the World Cup qualifiers.

It means that Southgate has resisted the temptation to give only a sixth cap – and just a second competitive start - to Jack Butland even though England face Malta, 190th in the Fifa rankings, in a World Cup qualifier here on Friday evening.

Hart is also set to retain his place for Monday’s qualifier at home to Slovakia despite his indifferent form this season for West Ham United, who have lost all three Premier League matches so far, conceding 10 goals. Hart, unwanted by Manchester City, also had a poor campaign on loan at Torino last season, with questions then raised as to whether he was at fault for Scotland’s goals in England’s previous qualifier, a 2-2 draw away, in June.

However, Southgate said that he had taken Hart aside two days ago amid growing speculation that he would be left out in favour of Butland. “From my point of view, we're three games into the season,” Southgate explained. “His club have had a difficult start to the season. He's been excellent, for me. As a manager, we've only conceded the two goals in Scotland in this group so, for me, I think he's rewarded me with the performances I wanted.

Joe Hart was beaten twice by Leigh Griffiths against Scotland
Joe Hart was beaten twice by Leigh Griffiths against Scotland Credit: AFP

“I don't think anyone else has had an opportunity yet to stake a strong enough claim to take over. But Joe knows there is competition for places, and that is healthy.”

Asked whether part of his thinking was to give Hart, who will earn his 72nd cap here in Malta, a ‘confidence boost’, Southgate said: “Whether he does or he doesn't (need it), I think it's important (to pick him). There was an opportunity to make a change and then change it back (against Slovakia), but that would have created more speculation and uncertainty. I told him a couple of days ago he was playing, the right thing to do.”

There has been more uncertainty over another member of England’s squad, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, until he secured his £35 million move from Arsenal to Liverpool which was completed at the national team’s base, St George’s Park, before England flew out to Malta. Part of Oxlade-Chamberlain’s thinking in choosing Liverpool over Chelsea – who also had a fee agreed for him – was because he wanted to play as a central midfielder.

Interestingly, though, it is not a role that Southgate envisages for him with England. The 24-year-old has played there twice under Southgate without convincing, especially in the recent friendly defeat way to France. “I do know where Liverpool see him, but I won't share that (with you),” Southgate said. “No, I don't see him (as a central midfielder). He could play as a number eight, but we really like him as a wide player.

Gareth Southgate does not see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as a central midfielder
Gareth Southgate does not see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as a central midfielder Credit: AFP

“We tried him in a couple of games to look at a different profile, but the explosive power and pace, ability to go on the outside of defenders, cross the ball, more productive there. But he could go as a number eight in certain systems.”

Southgate said he will, probably, resist the temptation to hand debuts to Nathaniel Chalobah and Harry Maguire – neither will start against Malta, who have lost all six qualifiers so far, including a 5-1 home defeat to Scotland this time last year – while he confirmed that Kieran Trippier had dropped out of the squad and returned to Tottenham Hotspur for treatment on an injury.

Southgate has yet to name who will lead the team for this fixture – and said he has “not spoken to the players yet” – while re-affirming that he was prepared not to have a “permanent captain” for England.  “No. I want to continue sharing that responsibility,” he said, with Harry Kane, Jordan Henderson and Gary Cahill (in that order) the most likely candidates. “It's been healthy for us. We're seeing good leaders emerging from the group.”

Will he name a captain if England qualify for the World Cup in Russia next summer (which they could do as early as Monday if results fall in their favour)? “I'm not in a rush to do that,” Southgate said. “It's on my list of priorities, not high. Developing more people who can step up and influence, getting the bond of team really strong, so we stand together is far more important than putting an individual in a position where, if they're the only one we're looking to – and that's been the case in the recent past – we won't get the best out of the group.”

That was another reference, in fact, to the previous focus on Wayne Rooney who has now retired from international football. 

England are top of Group F on 14 points from six games, two ahead of nearest rivals Slovakia.

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