A Premier League goalkeeper reacted on social media after his club brutally changed his shirt number just days before the start of the new season.
The 2024–25 Premier League season begins on Friday evening with Manchester United versus Fulham at Old Trafford.
There are many interesting storylines this season, including the race for the title, the race for Europe and the battle to avoid relegation.
There are a number of clubs that are interesting to watch, one of them is Crystal Palace.
When Oliver Glasner replaced Roy Hodgson in February, he transformed a struggling team into one of the best in the league, so it will be interesting to see what he can do over the course of a full season.
However, a familiar face from Palace’s starting line-up last season is unlikely to feature much.
Sam Johnstone was Palace’s number one until Hodgson stepped down, but an elbow injury and the form of his replacement Dean Henderson hampered his progress.
Henderson, who Palace signed from Manchester United for £20 million last summer, was in goal as Palace won six of their last seven league games and is now expected to be Glasner’s first-choice goalkeeper again next season.
According to the Mirror, Johnstone only realised on Monday that he would be replaced as number 1 – both figuratively and literally.
Sam Johnstone was not happy with Crystal Palace’s decision. (Instagram: @samjohnstone)
Palace have stripped the 31-year-old of the number 1 shirt and given it to Henderson, while Johnstone has been demoted to the number 32 shirt.
Johnstone, who lost his place in England’s Euro 2024 squad, is visibly upset by the decision. On Wednesday, he posted a selfie on Instagram of himself in a training shirt with the number 32, with the caption “New day, new number” and four crying, laughing emojis.
According to the Daily Mail, Johnstone was placed on the transfer list at his own request as he is keen to play regular football and fight to become England’s second goalkeeper behind Jordan Pickford.
Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Wolves, Leicester and Bournemouth have all enquired about Johnston, who is valued at £10 million at Palace.
Photo credit: Getty & England
Topics: Crystal Palace, Premier League, Dean Henderson, transfers, football
