Despite his luscious locks still being the envy of people up and down the country - boasting a soft dandruff-free touch - Joe Hart has had a summer to forget between the sticks.

Going into the Euros, he was England's experienced rock behind a defence that lacked solidity. However, up steps Gareth Bale to spoil the party.

As soon as that forty-yard free kick found its way into the net, Joe Hart's summer followed the usual pattern of English holidaymakers around the country - it went South. Not only was he the brunt of the age-old football cliché - 'my nan could've stopped that' - but also, he became an object of ridicule across social media.

Since England's embarrassing Euro 2016 display, it seems as though Hart's flaky form has followed him to Manchester. Out to impress his new manager, Pep Guardiola, Hart's second-half display against Arsenal in a pre-season teaser was one to forget - conceding all three of Arsenal's goals, including a clanger to gift Chuba Akpom a tap-in.

Unfortunately for Hart, he is quickly falling out of favour with Guardiola. Dropped for Manchester City's Premier League opener against Sunderland, he could only watch from the sidelines as last season's number two, Willy Caballero, pulled off some blinding saves to deny the Black Cats a point.

To rub salt in the wounds, Guardiola is now lining up a sweeper-keeper who fits the bill for his famous "style of play". Fittingly enough, it looks as though City have found their replacement in Barcelona's Chilean international, Claudio Bravo, in a deal believed to be around the £21m mark.

So, for a number one who once stood 'his favourite shampoo brand' above the competitors for the England slot, he is now also more likely to be seen as a Gamble than a Proctor in the eyes of his new England manager, Sam Allardyce, who is lining up Fraser Forster to make a start in goal for his first game in charge against Slovakia next month.

Whatever the future holds for Joe Hart, he certainly needs some reconditioning and an increase in confidence that comes with a flake-free head on his broad shoulders.

This article was submitted via our Write For Us feature. Think you can do better? Submit your own article via the link below, and give yourself the chance of winning monthly cash prizes...

[ad_pod id='writeforus' align='center']