Hart: I do watch English football, but Serie A is priority
Joe Hart is showing no regret having made a controversial switch to Serie A this summer.
After the arrival of new boss Pep Guardiola, the England international was deemed surplus to requirements, eventually being replaced by Claudio Bravo.
The former Shrewbury goalkeeper admitted that despite only being on loan in Turin, his focus is on Italian football.
“I do watch some Premier League football, but my priority now is Serie A, so I try to watch Italian football when possible,” Hart told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“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.
“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.”
The 29-year-old also had some positive words for AC Milan’s teen sensation Gianluigi Donnarumma, who he faced in the cup on Wednesday night and will do so again in the league on Monday.
“Donnarumma is incredible, full stop,” Hart continued. “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.”
Hart spoke highly of teammate and Arsenal target Andrea Belotti, who has been linked with a £50 million move to England or China.
“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.”