Adrian Durham and Darren Gough discuss possible England call-up for Johnstone
West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone could be called up to the England squad to replace the injured Jordan Pickford.
The Everton keeper withdrew from the squad on Tuesday and Johnstone is being discussed as a possible replacement [Daily Mail].
He has missed just one league game for Albion this term and has made 115 saves [Kickest] in his 27 appearances, the highest of any goalie in the Premier League.
Adrian Durham and Darren Gough discussed Pickford’s injury on talkSPORT and Johnstone was named as a potential replacement.
On Tuesday’s talkSPORT Drive Durham mooted, “Sam Johnstone at West Brom has had some plaudits.”
Gough hit back and raised a point that may lead Gareth Southgate to overlook Johnstone once again.
“The problem is all the goalkeepers are down at bottom clubs, they’re making lots of saves but also letting lots of goals in so their confidence is not going to be high,” said the ex-England cricketer.
Deserves a chance
Johnstone has been in fine form this season and more than deserves an England call-up.
We understand why Nick Pope, Dean Henderson and Pickford were called up ahead of him but Johnstone is clearly the best of the rest.
Durham and Gough proposed Karl Darlow, Fraser Forster and even Swansea’s Freddie Woodman as alternative options for the England boss.
Johnstone is clearly a level above each of those, since Darlow and Forster are not always first choice at their respective clubs, while Woodman is currently playing in the Championship.
Furthermore, Johnstone has been linked [The Sun] with Tottenham this term, which shows how good he is.
Johnstone has saved us in numerous matches this year and but for his fine form we could quite easily be bottom of the league.
Despite our league position he will likely be confident as he has looked at home in the Premier League, so Gough does not need to be concerned.
Johnstone is a player who is always improving and his determination makes him a good character for England to have.
In other West Brom news, Kevin Phillips has called Luke Dowling “crazy” and “bizarre” following latest development.
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