Joe Hart has nothing to prove to Manchester City, says Sean Dyche
Thursday 18 October 2018 15:49, UK
Sean Dyche says Joe Hart does not have a point to prove to Manchester City ahead of his return to the Etihad this weekend.
The Premier League champions loaned Hart to Torino and West Ham United in the previous two seasons, before selling him to Burnley this summer for £3.5m.
The goalkeeper had been at City for 12 years, winning two Premier League titles during his time, but Dyche said ahead of his first return to his former club: "He's very experienced now, he's played in enough big games.
"I think he will just want to get on with it. He's got no point to prove. I didn't bring him in to prove a point. In my opinion, he's another top class goalkeeper that we've got here.
"If he's got any point to prove, it would only be to himself - to continue to show what a top class goalie he is."
Hart endured a difficult time at the London Stadium last season, resulting in him being dropped from the West Ham team and England's World Cup squad.
But Dyche says he had no concerns about signing the 75-cap international, adding: "Sometimes you just fit at a club, sometimes you don't.
"When we signed him I didn't speak to him about all of that. I wasn't interested in that. I was speaking to him about getting back to being a top class goalie and how we could aid that."
While Dyche is understandably pleased with Hart's improved performances since arriving at Burnley, they have had a negative effect on Tom Heaton.
Burnley's former No 1, who is fit again after a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury, recently suggested he may have to leave Turf Moor in search of more football.
Dyche was sympathetic to Heaton's predicament, explaining: "I thought he spoke very well because he's a fantastic professional. That's why he's club captain.
"He's just being realistic. Me and Tom go back a long way - he was my first signing here. We've got an open dialogue. He's been very unfortunate.
"Whatever needs to be worked out, we will find a way of working it out. He knows he's got a future here, it's just about finding what is right for him."
