Sam Johnstone earns England honour after West Brom heroics
It has been an awful season for West Brom but fans can at least take some pride in the fact that goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has earned an England call-up.
Despite Albion’s defensive horror shows that have earned them the tag of the Premier League’s leakiest defence with 57 goals shipped in 29 games so far, Johnstone has seen his stock rise and he has suitably impressed Gareth Southgate who has named him in his Three Lions squad.
Speaking in his post-squad announcement press conference shown on Sky Sports News [14:00, 18/03/21] Southgate said the 27-year-old only just sneaked into the side for their triple-header v San Marino, Albania and Poland.
He said: “We obviously have an injury to Jordan [Pickford] which has created a space within the squad but again, I think Karl Darlow has had a very good season with Newcastle [United], he’s probably found himself out of the team at just the wrong time really in many regards.
“But Sam Johnstone in a team who have had a difficult season has kept a very good level of performance, he’s comfortable in possession as well as keeping the ball out of his net which is important for us.
“He’s somebody we worked with briefly in the U-21s so we know a little bit about him and yeah I think his recent performances in particular have been very good so it’s a great opportunity for him.”
Johnstone gets his just rewards
This is no less than Johnstone deserves as he has stood out like a sore thumb in this ailing Albion side.
It does not bear thinking about as to the position we would find ourselves in without him – we would almost certainly be below rock-bottom Sheffield United and struggling to reach double digits for points.
While Darlow enjoyed a good first half of the season with relegation rivals Newcastle it would have been an absolute travesty had he earned the call ahead of Johnstone.
According to Wyscout our stopper has made 4.11 saves per 90 in the Premier League this season, more than any other goalkeeper.
It was interesting to hear Southgate wax lyrical about his passing ability as that is something that is often overshadowed given his shot-saving heroics.
Johnstone has recorded a 77.6% pass completion rate this season which is a decent return given our propensity to seek longer balls forward under Sam Allardyce.
It would not surprise us to see him further impress the England staff up close and put himself in contention for this summer’s European Championships.
In other West Brom news, our Super Fans deliver their verdicts on the soon-to-be out of contracts stars they would keep and let go.
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