According to writer and presenter Jay Motty, Crystal Palace’s impending signing of Sam Johnstone is huge for the player as it gives him a chance to silence doubters and show his class again in the Premier League.
After a hugely successful 2021 summer transfer window, where they bought in the likes of Marc Guehi, Joachim Andersen, Michael Olise and Odsonne Edouard, it looks like the Eagles are continuing this good form with the recent signing of free agent Johnstone, who is due to leave West Brom this summer when his contract runs out.
Johnstone has been plying his trade in the Championship, but it now looks like he is going to get a chance to cut his teeth in the English top flight – something that Motty believes will help the player prove his ability.
He said on the Football Social Daily podcast: “I think Sam Johnstone going there, if he can show them what he’s about, then that’ll be a chance for him to not only join an exciting club that’s moving forward, but perhaps put some of those question marks to bed over whether he was quite good enough or whether he played his part in West Brom not being able to cut it in the Premier League.”
TIF Thoughts on Motty’s comments…
While Johnstone has been playing in the Championship, he still managed to have a good season with West Brom, racking up 15 clean sheets in the league and only conceding 33 goals in 36 games for the Baggies.
The last time he played in the Premier League back in the 2020/21 season, he showed his class by ranking in the 98th percentile for passes attempted and saves with 4.35 per game among all goalkeepers in Europe’s top five leagues (as per FBRef).
While it is unclear how Joshntone will get on at his new club, signing the player for a free (once confirmed) would be great for the club, and with starting goalkeeper Vicente Guaita now at 35, he will surely get a great chance to start week-in, week-out for the Eagles and show his worth.
Will Johnstone shine at Palace?Yes
No
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