Abhay Singh
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has been removed from his No 1 jersey as the Premier League kick-off, with Dean Henderson, who wore the No 30 shirt last season, set to take the shirt, indicating he will start the season as the team’s first choice keeper. Johnstone was informed of the news on Monday.
The goalkeeper, who missed the final two months of last season due to an elbow injury, is back after surgery. The injury ruled him out of England’s Euro 2024 squad, where Gareth Southgate was due to select Johnstone as his second choice.
Henderson impressed Oliver Glasner during end to the season
Oliver Glasner was impressed by Henderson’s performance during Palace’s outstanding season finale, in which the team won six of its final seven games and finished undefeated.
There’s uncertainty over Glasner’s first choice keeper for Sunday’s match against Brentford, but Johnstone’s loss of shirt number suggests Henderson will be the choice, as he has been informed.
Johnstone will be made available for transfer at his own request
Johnstone, who signed with Palace for free, will be open to transfers during this window if he so chooses.
He is committed to staying with the national team and needs to show interim England head coach Lee Carsley that he can play first team football on a regular basis.
The 31-year-old goalkeeper Johnstone is valued at £10 million by Palace, but it’s unclear if they will take a smaller amount to let him go. Selhurst Park is prepared to help Johnstone secure a move and values his strong performance since 2022.
Among the teams that expressed early interest in Johnstone were Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Wolves, Leicester, and Bournemouth.
The seasoned goalie is currently concentrated on the upcoming season with Palace, but it is obvious that his future is now elsewhere.
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