Sam Johnstone falls out with Valerien Ismael at West Brom – The Athletic
The ongoing saga of Sam Johnstone at West Brom has taken a major twist as reports from The Atheltic suggests he has fallen out with manager Valerien Ismael.
The England international was surprisingly left out of the Baggies squad on Wednesday night (26 January) having returned from suspension.
Ismael called the situation an “internal matter” [Birmingham Mail] after the game but further digging has unearthed a potential row between the two.
“As Albion’s No 1 for the last four seasons, as well as an England squad regular, he had anticipated an immediate recall,” Steve Madeley writes in The Athletic.
“Instead, he was told by Ismael that David Button would keep his place as a reward for his displays in Johnstone’s absence.
“Johnstone reacted angrily, not least as he believed other players in Ismael’s squad had been recalled immediately after suspensions or injuries earlier this season despite their understudies doing well in their place.
“What followed was a row between the pair that resulted in Johnstone being removed from the match-day squad entirely rather than taking a place among the substitutes on Wednesday night, as Ismael had intended.”
He must go now
Just when you think things can’t get any worse, along comes something like this to give you a swift kick in the unmentionables.
Johnstone is arguably the best goalkeeper in the Championship on his day and he should probably be playing Premier League football rather than the second division.
The Atheltic’s report of the matter also states that West Ham and Southampton are keen to sign the England international and maybe that is the blessing the Baggies are after.
David Button has proven a worthy replacement in recent games and the monetary value of Johnstone could be a huge boost to the club in the immediate future.
Especially if they fail to gain promotion back to the Premier League which is looking increasingly unlikely after the unceremonious 2-0 defeat to Preston.
It has been a good ride for West Brom and Johnstone but now is the time to get off the rollercoaster and try a new one.
In other West Brom news, the club are chasing this bully of a striker and a deal could be done this week.