Euro 2016: England vs Iceland – 5 players to watch out for

5) Joe Hart

Can Joe Hart lay the ghosts of 2012 to rest, once and for all?

England and their dread for penalty shoot-outs – their Achilles heel is well documented. Four years down the line, after having been sent the wrong way in Kiev by an absolutely outrageous, yet casual Panenka chip from Andrea Pirlo, Joe Hart will be hoping the experience and disappointments of 2012 will only hold him in good stead if it comes to the same scenario once again.

Despite not having much to do in England’s group stage games, Joe Hart came in for heavy criticism and his place in the starting line-up under immense scrutiny, following him not being able to keep out a powerful, yet straightforward Gareth Bale free-kick. Mistakes have been far and rare, but the Bale error means that the spotlight is back on Hart, who is still very much expected to be England’s undisputable No 1.

With the arrival of Guardiola, the rumours regarding the potential signing of Marc-Andre ter Stegen from Barcelona won’t die down anytime soon, despite Hart being arguably Manchester City’s best player in the recently concluded season. Mistakes, however rare, wouldn’t be tolerated under Pep and whether this motivates the shot-stopper or adds to the burden remains to be seen.