‘Proud to have him’ – Bilic claims West Brom player is among best in PL
West Brom manager has backed goalkeeper Sam Johnstone to earn a call-up to the England squad after his recent impressive Premier League performances for the Baggies.
Johnstone has made a string of impressive saves in recent weeks and kept just his second league clean sheet of the season against Sheffield United during their 1-0 win last weekend.
The 27-year-old excelled against his old club Manchester United at Old Trafford and made two incredible close-range saves from Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford respectively.
Speaking ahead of this Sunday’s meeting with Crystal Palace at The Hawthorns, Bilic said Johnstone was “among” the best English goalkeepers in the Premier League.
“He didn’t have experience in the Premier League so there was always a question of how would he do, the same as it is for outfield players,” he said (via Express and Star).
“Touch wood, he has been great for us. We need him in every game and he has taken the responsibility in a great way and is among them (the best English keepers).
“We are proud to have him. At the moment England have a few good young goalkeepers. A few years ago there weren’t many English goalkeepers starting in the Premier League. Now there is great competition and Sam is definitely one of them.”
Johnstone has made a great start to life in the Premier League and put in a series of eye-catching performances in recent weeks.
No goalkeeper in the Premier League has made more saves than Johnstone this season, 43, while he ranks fourth in terms of save percentage, 73.7% (via FBRef).
Since arriving at the club in 2018 from Manchester United, he has made 100 league appearances for the club and was an ever-present as they secured promotion from the Championship last season.
Asked this week about the prospect of an England call-up, Johnstone said (via Express and Star): “I just need to keep performing for West Brom and catching the eye of Gareth Southgate.”
The 27-year-old has played for his country at the age-group levels and with Euro 2020 approaching over the summer, he could be in with an outside shot of making the squad.
In other West Brom news, why the Baggies are in the ideal position to add second win v Crystal Palace
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