Joe Hart is impressed by Torino teammate Andrea Belotti, Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and “not surprised” by Antonio Conte’s Chelsea.
The Granata shot-stopper is preparing for tomorrow night’s Serie A clash with Milan, just days after the 2-1 Coppa Italia defeat at San Siro.
“I had only ever faced Milan before in a friendly, in the USA for the Audi Cup. But on Thursday I got confirmation: their results are not a fluke. This is a team to be respected,” Hart told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Joe Hart is impressed by Torino teammate Andrea Belotti, Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and “not surprised” by Antonio Conte’s Chelsea.
The Granata shot-stopper is preparing for tomorrow night’s Serie A clash with Milan, just days after the 2-1 Coppa Italia defeat at San Siro.
“I had only ever faced Milan before in a friendly, in the USA for the Audi Cup. But on Thursday I got confirmation: their results are not a fluke. This is a team to be respected,” Hart told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
You can read the rest of the lengthy interview here.
“Donnarumma is incredible, full stop. The fact he’s only 17 years old is almost irrelevant and just adds extra gloss to the situation. You can tell he’s at the top because he trains at the top. Age can only make him better, but he acts as if he’s already got a long career behind him.”
Torino directors confirmed they received an offer from Arsenal for Belotti in the region of €60m. How would he do in the Premier League?
“Andrea is similar to all great strikers, whether they are English or not. It’s difficult to find someone to specifically compare him to: he is Belotti and that’s all.
“As a goalkeeper, I can say his best qualities are the instinct for goal, his character and the fact he is a team player. He’s always got in his mind how to work hard and help his teammates.”
Adem Ljajic, on the other hand, is not known for working his socks off and tends to get shouted at by Sinisa Mihajlovic.
“I love Adem’s talent: if you are surprised that he doesn’t score or provide an assist, that’s a compliment. Mihajlovic asks more from all of us, but anyone who gets angry with Ljajic in general must understand it’s impossible to be decisive in every game.”
Some of Hart’s former Manchester City teammates are doing well around Europe.
“I am not remotely surprised by Edin Dzeko’s success at Roma. The exception was last season, as he had just arrived and needed to get to know Serie A. I would’ve been amazed if he had struggled to score again this term.
“I don’t watch Ligue 1 and haven’t spoken to Mario Balotelli lately, but I am happy he’s back to scoring goals too. If he is happy, then so am I: he’s a good guy.”
Antonio Conte is commanding the Premier League at the helm of Chelsea in his debut English season.
“Chelsea are not a surprise for me and neither is he. As a manager he’s always been successful and that’s also because he was a great player – just like Roberto Mancini and Sinisa Mihajlovic.
“It’s difficult to make predictions in the Premier League, as unpredictable things can happen and I know that well: I won the title in a crazy way and lost one unexpectedly.
“I do watch some Premier League football, but my priority now is Serie A, so I try to watch Italian football when possible. It is understandable why the Premier League is more popular around the world, as it’s more ‘visible’ and there’s so much on offer. But playing here I have realised how you Italians live the sport with pride and passion.”
Serie A is trying to copy the Premier League by adopting some Boxing Day fixtures rather than taking an extended Winter break.
“I used to love playing at that time of year. Then again, I’m a goalkeeper, so it’s less of a strain. My teammates did feel very tired. In any case, getting to rest with my family this year was not exactly disappointing.
“People say the English players don’t come to Italy because they look down on Serie A, but that’s just not true. Aside from the guaranteed earnings from the Premier League, I think it’s also because there isn’t much of a dialogue between English and Italian clubs: if they communicated more often, these moves would happen more. I see no reason why not.”
Hart was also asked about the suggestion gay players be helped to come out, but would “prefer to talk about football.”
His comment on Brexit was also non-committal: “It’s a tough decision, but so far nothing much has happened. There are many theories, but no decisions yet that allow me to have a definitive opinion.”