Glenn Hoddle believes Tottenham should make move for Sam Johnstone
Sam Johnstone has been a bright spark for West Brom this season and Glenn Hoddle believes he is a player destined for the top of the Premier League.
Albion are looking likely for the drop as things stand and that means the goalkeeper’s future is in doubt.
Johnstone recently spoke about his desire to play in the top-flight and his performances mean he could well move if West Brom are relegated.
Hoddle shares that view and argues that Tottenham should make a move for the 27-year-old with Hugo Lloris on the decline.
He said on The Glenn Hoddle Footy Show, “He [Lloris] hasn’t been safe for four or five months. Spurs, long-term, will need to replace Lloris – quite soon. He is on the back foot.
“He looks as if he’s doubting himself. Sam Johnstone at West Brom is a top goalkeeper, he will get better and better.
“If West Brom go down or stay up, he is somebody who will stay in the Premier League – and someone will grab him.”
That is a worrying view for Albion supporters, but it also should not come as a surprise.
Johnstone has made 98 saves this term, the most of any keeper in the Premier League.
He has consistently pulled off brilliant saves, like Harry Maguire’s header last week, and proven that he is more than capable of performing in the top division.
We must prepare for his departure, therefore.
It is vital Luke Dowling does not let him go cheaply as we will have a significant rebuild to do in the summer.
Several players have proved they are not good enough for the Premier League and are in fact getting worse.
Kieran Gibbs, Branislav Ivanovic and Romaine Sawyers are examples of that, having each achieved average WhoScored ratings of 6.2 or less.
We hope they do not remain next season, but replacing them will be costly so we must get every penny we can for Johnstone.
In more positive news, Alex Palmer is performing very well on loan at Lincoln so could be an ideal replacement for Johnstone.
The 24-year-old shot-stopper has kept 13 clean sheets in 27 league games and conceded a remarkable 22 goals in that time.
He is currently managed by Michael Appleton, too, a manager who could succeed Sam Allardyce.
Unlike Appleton, Palmer will definitely return to The Hawthorns this summer, and that could allow Dowling to use the Johnstone money on the rest of the squad.
We will likely need reinforcements up-front and in midfield if our current loanees do not stay.
They are vital positions and it is important we spend in order to get the players who will allow us to bounce straight back up.
In other West Brom news, Steve Madeley responds when asked if Luke Dowling is under pressure at West Brom.