English Goalkeeping suffering: James

Portsmouth goalkeeper David James has expressed concern over England’s goalkeeping talent.

England’s number one, James, voiced his concerns following Shay Given’s arrival at Manchester City which means promising young talent Joe Hart becomes City’s number two.

The 38 year-old is unhappy about the fact that only seven Premiership clubs have English goalkeepers as their first choice.

It ‘s the same story in the Championship where just nine out of 24 clubs have English first choice ‘keepers.

James feels the stats show how more needs to be done to protect home-grown talent in the top two tiers of English football.

Commenting on his England compatriot Joe Hart’s recent bad news, James told the Sunday Observer: “It’s not his fault, but Shay Given’s transfer to Manchester City is bad news for the future of English goalkeeping.”

“It is great, for me personally, to see an older keeper making a high-profile move to as ambitious a club as Manchester City. However, it begs the question: what will happen to Joe Hart?

“I’ve already backed Joe to be a key part of England’s drive for success at the 2010 World Cup and beyond, but if he isn’t getting games in the top flight his future could hang in the balance.

“It will be tough for him. All season long Joe was number one at City, so what happens now? Will he be shifted to the bench, or farmed out on loan?

“In either case Joe looks like to add to the grim statistics on number of first-choice England goalkeepers in our top two divisions. It is surprising how grim those stats are.”