View: West Brom must plan for life without Sam Johnstone, regardless of miracle promotion
West Brom are on a bit of an upward curve right now, and some fans are dreaming that it could end with a miracle promotion at the end of it.
The Baggies currently sit six points off the top six after a run of six defeats in seven games was snapped, with Steve Bruce overseeing two wins and a draw in their last three.
If they were to somehow secure a playoff spot now with nine games remaining, there has been some talk among fans that star goalkeeper Sam Johnstone could be convinced to sign a new deal and stay on at The Hawthorns.
Whether it’s possible or not shouldn’t matter though, because it’s time for West Brom and Johnstone to move on and go on separate paths.
Johnstone will be 29 next week and has spent the last four years at the club, becoming a Premier League calibre stopper and breaking into the England squad too.
Gareth Southgate kept him in his plans for much of the season despite playing outside of the top flight, but he has now lost his place following poor form.
There are suggestions that Manchester United could look to bring him in as the number two at Old Trafford, replacing another academy graduate in Dean Henderson.
West Ham, Southampton and Tottenham [Daily Mail] have also been linked with a move, and he looks almost certain to leave the club.
But because of his abilities, many fans are worried that he will be irreplaceable at the club and it could prove to be a problem position. That isn’t the case.
David Button has shown he’s capable in the Championship, but if the club do go up they shouldn’t panic. There are plenty of young goalkeepers out there capable of stepping up, while loans are always an option too.
Whatever they do though, they shouldn’t beg and plead for Johnstone to leave. In fact, they should pat him on the back on his way out.
He fell out with Valerien Ismael after losing his place in the team and that tells you he doesn’t want to fight for his place, he expects it. That is not the type of player you need in what will ultimately be a relegation battle.
The club should be planning for the future without him already, regardless of how the coming season ends.
In other West Brom news, Jeff Stelling predicts result of West Brom clash v Bristol City, Sky Sports pundit disagrees