During an interview with Football Insider, Danny Mills has claimed Leeds United should have signed Joe Hart. The former right-back believes the Whites need depth in the goalkeeping department, and Hart could have been an ideal signing.
“I mentioned Joe Hart an awful lot, before he went to Tottenham. To come in as a goalkeeper of stature, Premier League experience, a good attitude and he’s prepared to fight for the number one position. He’s not coming in to be guaranteed number one above everybody else.”, Mills told Football Insider.
Analysing Leeds United’s Goalkeeping Department This Season
Following Kiko Casilla’s fall from grace after an alleged racist comment that earned him an eight-game suspension last season, the burdens in the goalkeeping department was handed to Illan Meslier. The Frenchman had enjoyed a promising end of the 2019/20 campaign and was brought in permanently from Lorient.
Meslier’s Premier League career started nervily with a 4-3 defeat to Liverpool, which was followed by the youngster conceding three more goals in the next game against Fulham. However, he has impressed since then especially after an excellent display against Sheffield United away from home.
At the same time, one could argue that Leeds United could use the arrival of a new goalkeeper to provide competition for Meslier, who has once again had a dip in form in recent weeks. His performance against Crystal Palace, in particular, was rather disappointing, with the 20-year-old notably conceding eight goals in the last two matches.
Should Leeds United Have Signed Joe Hart?
Joe Hart, without a doubt, would have been an ideal signing for Leeds United for multiple reasons. The Englishman has a lot of pedigree at the highest level of football, having made 340 appearances in the Premier League while winning 75 caps for England. It could have been useful in an otherwise inexperienced Leeds United roster.
Hart’s experience could have also helped in nurturing a young goalkeeper like Meslier, who still has a lot to learn in terms of positioning. He also appears quite tentative when it comes to imposing his presence inside the box.
But more importantly, the Tottenham keeper could have provided the competition in the middle of the park, although, in truth, he may have been a little too expensive for Leeds, if we consider the player’s wage demands.
The Whites have already spent a fortune in the summer, with the arrival of star players like Rodrigo and Raphinha. And while there is no doubt that they need to sign a good alternative for Meslier, they must make sure that the player will be willing to take a pay cut as the club look to deal with the financial complications inflicted by the Coronavirus.
