Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has commented on social media after being stripped of his squad number. Palace boss Oliver Glasner has made Dean Henderson his new no.1 goalkeeper ahead of the new Premier League season.
Johnstone, Palace's former no.1 who spent much of last season as the club's first-choice shot-stopper, has been given the no.32 ahead of the campaign. The 31-year-old was informed of the move on Monday and is seemingly unimpressed.
With just four days before Palace's Premier League season opener, Johnstone took to social media on Wednesday to post his thoughts on the decision. He uploaded a selfie of himself in a no.32 training top with the caption: “New day new number,” followed by four crying laughing emojis and the number 32 in a circle flashing in different colours.
Related articles
Johnstone's post also included his new number decorated in bright colours as he sarcastically teased that he was thrilled by the sudden change. The former West Brom man spent much of last season as the club's main man between the sticks, however an elbow injury in March saw him lose his place to Henderson.
Adding more salt to the wound, Johnstone also missed out on a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024, and has now discovered just days before the new season that he is no longer the club's go-to goalkeeper. Former Manchester United keeper Henderson impressed Glasner at the end of last season as he helped Palace finish the campaign with six wins from seven matches.
The 27-year-old has now been rewarded at Johnstone’s expense by being gifted the coveted no.1 jersey. The Daily Mail has reported that Johnstone has now been put up for sale by Palace, although this is at his own request in a bid to play more regularly.
It is believed that Palace value him at £10million, with the player currently under contract until June 2027. Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Wolves, Leicester and Bournemouth are all said to have made enquiries about Johnstone, who is now aiming to force his way back into the England set-up under new interim boss Lee Carsley.
Johstone has won four caps for the national team in his career but he is now aiming to deputise for Jordan Pickford.
His position at Palace was always going to be under threat after the club sanctioned a £20million move for Henderson last year. The 27-year-old, who spent 2022/2023 on loan at Nottingham Forest, is also four years younger than Johnstone and joined Palace with an eye to claiming the the no.1 jersey after being sent out on loan on five seperate occasions by United.
