Sam Johnstone rejected a move to Tottenham in favour of joining Crystal Palace back in July, after his contract at West Brom expired.
According to Dean Jones, the England international was unsure if he would receive much first-team football at Spurs, with one of Europe’s best in Hugo Lloris ahead of him.
Johnstone consequently chose to join Crystal Palace, but things have not been easy for the shot-stopper with Patrick Vieira yet to hand him a Premier League appearance.
Now, an update from Selhurst Park will presumably make the 29-year-old even more upset.
Crystal Palace man might regret Tottenham snub
Well, Johnstone is currently playing deputy to Vicente Guaita in south London, but he may have had hope of becoming No.1 next season, as the Spaniard’s contract was expiring in July 2023.
However, according to The Athletic, Crystal Palace have now triggered a one-year extension in the 35-year-old’s contract, which suggests he is set to keep the No.1 shirt going into the 2023/24 campaign.
Having chosen Crystal Palace over Tottenham in search of game time, that will surely upset Johnstone.
The Preston-born glovesman has already missed out on a place in the England squad partly because of his situation in SE25, and won’t be adding to his three caps in Qatar.
Crystal Palace must start to ease Johnstone in
In our view, Vieira needs to make a conscious effort to ease Johnstone into his starting XI.
As reliable as Guaita is, the Spaniard turns 36 in January, and at the age of 29, Johnstone is the long-term option Crystal Palace will probably depend on for the next five years.
The Crystal Palace No.21 made just his second appearance for the Eagles in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle, impressing as he kept a clean sheet and also saved a penalty in the shootout.
Johnstone is a fantastic goalkeeper, and hopefully, Vieira gives him a chance in the Premier League soon.
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