‘He’s definitely the stand-out player’ – Exclusive: Kevin Phillips blown away by West Brom star
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Sam Johnstone has been the best player at West Brom this season, according to former Albion star Kevin Phillips.
Johnstone, 27, has been in outstanding form for the Baggies this term and played a huge role in them winning their first Premier League match of the season last week in the 1-0 victory against Sheffield United.
According to stats by WyScout, Johnstone ranks fourth in Europe’s top-five leagues for the number of goals he’s prevented this season [5.49].
He’s also made the second-most saves in Europe’s best leagues [48], narrowly behind Newcastle’s Karl Darlow [49].
While Phillips admits that no goalkeeper has been tested more than Johnstone in the Premier League this season – the West Brom ace has faced a league-high of 66 shots – he cannot see past him when thinking about who’s been the best player at The Hawthorns.
“He’s been one of the most-tested goalkeepers in the league so you would have to say he’s been one of their best players, without a shadow of a doubt,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“No one’s really stood out have they? Even the likes of Pereira, Krovinovic Diangana, Robinson and Grant haven’t really stood out.
“Gallagher’s done well but ultimately it’s the goalkeeper. He’s had so many saves to make. He’s definitely the stand-out player so far.”
Of course, if you’re a team down towards the bottom of the league then you’re goalkeeper is going to have a lot of work to do.
Ben Foster was adored by Baggies fans because even through the Tony Pulis years, the Black Country side leaked a lot of chances and the goalkeeper was called on time after time.
Johnstone’s produced some big displays this season and while we don’t want to compare him to Foster yet, it’s nice that the former Aston Villa loanee has finally started to get fans on his side after a rocky couple of years in the Championship.
In other West Brom news, Bilic’s future at Albion remains on a “knife-edge”, according to David Ornstein.
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