Jose Mourinho offered a glowing endorsement of his goalkeeper options ahead of Tottenham’s trip to Newcastle United this weekend.
Spurs’ no. 1 Hugo Lloris is out of contract in 2022 and the club have been eyeing potential replacements, according to Sky Sports.
Burnley’s Nick Pope, West Brom’s Sam Johnstone and Manchester United’s Dean Henderson are among those they have apparently considered.
Hart too has one year remaining on his deal.
“I don’t want to offend anyone, and I hope that people just accept my opinion; we have the best goalkeeper in England and the best English goalkeeper,” Mourinho said in his press conference.
“So I am so happy with that, that I don’t think about what can or cannot happen [in the summer].”
How have Lloris and Hart played this season?
34-year-old Lloris has conceded 30 goals across his 29 Premier League appearances this season.
Those goals have come from a post-shot xG of 32, meaning he’s overperformed (via FB Ref).
Hart, who joined on a free transfer last summer, has made 10 appearances in cup competitions, including six in the Europa League.
In those games, he’s conceded eight goals and kept five clean sheets.
The former Manchester City goalie has racked up 340 Premier League appearances in his career.
Fan feed The Spurs Express relayed Mourinho’s comments, and here’s how supporters reacted.
These Spurs fans scoff at Mourinho’s declaration
“How can anyone take him seriously when he says things like this?”
“Disgusting.”
“I’m offended”
“He’d be the only person in the country with that view”
“Wow that statement”
“Joe Hart, maybe 10 years ago”
“Did he say this on April fools day?”
“It’s these sort of opinions that worry me.”
“He’s having a laugh, even he can’t believe this”