Exclusive: Phillips hails Johnstone as West Brom goalkeeper earns England call-up
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…
Kevin Phillips has paid tribute to Sam Johnstone after the West Brom goalkeeper was called up to the England senior team on Thursday.
Johnstone, 27, has made Gareth Southgate’s squad for the first time with Everton goalkeeper and regular England number one Jordan Pickford ruled out through injury.
Joining Johnstone among the goalkeeper in the Three Lions squad are Burnley’s Nick Pope and Manchester United’s Dean Henderson.
Ex-West Brom striker Phillips has urged Johnstone to savour the opportunity of being in the England squad over the coming weeks, even if he doesn’t earn a cap.
“Credit to Sam, it’s an unbelievable achievement considering where West Brom are in the league,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“We’ve sung his praises all season, I think he’s arguably been their best player. In an ideal world, you don’t want your goalkeeper to have been your best player in the season because you know you’ve struggled.
“Some of the saves he’s pulled off this season have been fantastic and you have to say, if it wasn’t for him, West Brom could have been well and truly cut adrift by now because he has kept them in a lot of games.
“I hope he goes an enjoys the occasion. Even if you don’t get a minute on the pitch, just go and enjoy being in with the cream of the crop because it soon comes and goes. Well done to him.”
Johnstone has made 28 Premier League appearances for West Brom this season, conceding a league-high 55 goals and also keeping five clean sheets.
According to stats by Wyscout, the former Man United goalkeeper has made more saves than anyone else in Europe’s top five leagues this season [123].
England play San Marino, Albania and Poland in their three World Cup qualifiers before the end of this month.
Southgate could opt to play each of his goalkeepers in those games or put faith in Pope to be his new England number one with the Burnley ace impressing in the Premier League this term.
Either way, Johnstone will no doubt be delighted to just be there in the squad.
In other West Brom news, this is when Big Sam is expected to exit the Albion.
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