Premier League star publicly mocks club after brutal snub days before first game

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has decided to lay down a marker by stripping Sam Johnstone of the No.1 shirt, in favour of Dean Henderson, prompting an angry response

Sam Johnstone is unhappy at Crystal Palace (
Image: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has made his feelings clear on Oliver Glasner’s decision to demote him on the eve of the Premier League season.

Johnstone spent much of last season as Palace’s first-choice goalkeeper but an elbow injury sustained in March derailed his progress. The 31-year-old lost his place in the Palace side to Dean Henderson and also missed out on a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024.

Henderson impressed Glasner at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, helping Palace finish the season with six wins from the final seven games, and has now been rewarded at Johnstone’s expense. Johnstone has been stripped of the No.1 shirt, which has been handed to Henderson, and will now wear No.32 at Palace.

The former West Brom keeper is clearly unimpressed with the move, which he was only informed of on Monday – six days before they begin their campaign against Brentford on Sunday. Taking to Instagram, Johnstone posted a selfie of him in a No.32 Palace training top with the caption “New day new number” and four crying laughing emojis.

The Daily Mail reports that Johnstone has now been placed on the transfer list at his own request because he is desperate for regular football. Palace value him at £10million, partly because he is under contract until June 2027, and have already fielded plenty of interest.

Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Wolves, Leicester and Bournemouth have all made enquiries about Johnstone, who wants to force his way back into the England set-up under interim boss Lee Carsley. He has won four caps for the Three Lions so far but is targeting the second-choice spot behind Jordan Pickford.

Johnstone was always likely to struggle to stay in between the posts for Palace after the club splashed out £20m to sign Henderson from Manchester United last year. Henderson is four years his junior and only joined Palace because he was seeking the No.1 spot after spending time on loan at five different clubs during his spell at United.

Sam Johnstone is clearly annoyed with the decision ( 
Image:
Instagram/@samjohnstone)

Dean Henderson is now Crystal Palace’s No.1 ( 
Image:
Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)

Southampton are looking for a new goalkeeper after Gavin Bazunu ruptured his Achilles in the closing stages of their Championship campaign. Alex McCarthy has not looked convincing in pre-season and Russell Martin has suggested the newly-promoted side are in the market for another keeper.

Wolves have Jose Sa and Dan Bentley, but Gary O’Neil wants another goalkeeper to challenge for the No.1 spot. Johnstone isn’t the only keeper on their radar, with an offer reportedly submitted for Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas. Giorgio Mamardashvili, who impressed for Georgia at Euro 2024, has also been attracting transfer interest from the Premier League.

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