It has been a summer of change at Crystal Palace as Oliver Glasner oversees his first pre-season at Selhurst Park.
Joachim Andersen has taken the No.5 shirt after James Tomkins departed, while Ismaila Sarr has inherited the No.7 following Michael Olise’s move to Bayern Munich.
Now, another Crystal Palace player has been given a new shirt number, in what is a telling development…
Dean Henderson takes No.1 shirt from Sam Johnstone
A story from the Daily Mail now claims that Dean Henderson has been given the No.1 shirt at Crystal Palace.
The England international – who was No.30 at Crystal Palace – was told last week that he would be Glasner’s No.1 for the 2024/25 campaign.
As a result of that, Sam Johnstone has asked to leave Crystal Palace – according to The Athletic.
Crystal Palace are said to have accepted the 31-year-old’s desire to depart, recognising that he has been a model professional since arriving on a free transfer back in July 2022, with those at Selhurst Park currently helping the England international look for a new club.
Leicester, Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Wolves are all said to be keen on signing Johnstone, with Crystal Palace looking to receive £10m.
The Daily Mail’s article makes the situation sound a lot messier than we believe it actually is, as they headline their story with the line ‘Johnstone is STRIPPED of the No.1 shirt’ at Crystal Palace.
In our view, it is more a case of Henderson asking for the shirt, as opposed to wearing the more unfashionable No.30 in south London, rather than Johnstone having his number ripped away from him as the Daily Mail make out.
The change of number does – however – suggest an exit could be imminent.
Crystal Palace have replacement in mind
If Johnstone does end up leaving Crystal Palace this summer, Dougie Freedman already knows who he wants to replace the man from Preston.
A story from Alan Nixon states that Crystal Palace want to sign Plymouth Argyle No.1 Michael Cooper if another club meets Johnstone’s £10m asking price and strikes an agreement.
READ MORE: £11m Crystal Palace player now keen to leave Selhurst Park along with Sam Johnstone
Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as Henderson taking the No.1 shirt suggests Glasner could be about to lose his backup goalkeeper this summer.
