England goalie Joe Hart not flexible enough: Barthez

France goalkeeping great Fabien Barthez on Wednesday criticised England custodian Joe Hart, saying he is not flexible enough and is two levels below the likes of Manuel Neuer of Germany and Belgium's Thibaut Courtois.

Hart made two crucial errors at the European championship -- the second of which helped Iceland's Kolbeinn Sigthorsson to squeeze a shot in as the winner against the Three Lions which ousted them from the tournament.

"His diving technique isn't good. It's too horizontal and not aggressive enough," Barthez was quoted as saying by espnfc.

"He isn't flexible and doesn't come out. When he runs, it's just 'thud, thud, thud'."

The World Cup winner feels Hart is two levels below the likes of Neuer, Courtois and Hugo Lloris of France.

"He messes up because he doesn't attack the ball's path, meaning his hands are then pushed back by the impact with the ball. Hart is two levels below Neuer, Courtois and Lloris."

Barthez added the problem is not only limited to Hart but that England have always produced glovemen who are not mobile enough.

"It's heavy. I don't understand the English culture around the position. They need huge guys, but they're just walls that don't come out," he added.

"Clubs and the FA need to change their philosophy in developing goalkeepers."

--IANS

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