Crystal Palace’s summer 2024 transfer window is likely to be busy a one, but they might not have predicted a goalkeeping dilemma being part of it.
Though Nottingham Forest’s approach to sign Sam Johnstone on loan with an obligation to buy was rejected, it raises the question of whether there is room at Palace for two excellent goalkeepers who are eager to be first choice, and what that may mean come the end of the season.
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Johnstone is not thought to be pushing for a move but given he has impressed since arriving from West Bromwich Albion of the Championship in June 2022 as a free agent, there must be a part of him seeking to be the No 1 choice. He established himself after Vicente Guaita picked up a calf injury towards the end of last season, after going a whole year without a league appearance.
The 30-year-old was restored to the England squad — he has won four caps — after those strong performances and he had started every Premier League game this season until a calf problem sustained late in the 2-1 defeat by Liverpool in early December.
Since then, Dean Henderson has stepped in capably, following his opportunistic signing from Manchester United on the penultimate day of the window last August. The 26-year-old, who injured his thigh on debut in the Carabao Cup defeat at Old Trafford in September, has kept his place after stepping in for the 2-2 draw away to Manchester City a week before Christmas. There have been a few wobbles, but he is a different profile of goalkeeper, more commanding, confident and aggressive.
Palace have two contrasting but quality goalkeepers. As the interest from Forest indicates, that can work against them.
Manager Roy Hodgson stopped short of calling it a “dilemma”. “That (a dilemma) is a very unfortunate and unpleasant situation, and I don’t think there is anything unpleasant about this,” he said.
“Whether the club will be able to persuade both that we need them or will be forced to accept it’s probably a bit ambitious to have two England goalkeepers, I’m prepared just to let the time go.”
The situation is likely to come to a head, though. And that may happen in the summer.
If Henderson, who will keep first-choice status unless his form drops off or injuries recur, continues to perform well, there could be interest in him. Likewise, clubs may sense unease from Johnstone and a desire to keep himself in the England set-up, which is likely to only occur if he’s getting regular games at club level.
Henderson would demand the bigger fee of the two, given the initial £15million outlay from Palace in the summer and his age, but he is also the higher earner.
“It’s comforting in some ways for the club to know that, whichever choice I make, I’m putting a very good goalkeeper onto the field of play,” Hodgson said. “But it’s also my job to keep players motivated, wanting to play, feeling that they are appreciated.
“That’s a little bit difficult when you’ve got two, both of whom believe — with a lot of justification — that they should be the No 1. They are intelligent and know I can’t play them both.
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“I haven’t really got to a situation yet in a league game where both are putting their hands up and saying, ‘I should play.’ That will be a tough call.”
Henderson’s past injury problems may be a concern for any potential suitors, while Palace would be loath to leave themselves in a position where in the future they only have one obvious first choice. His arrival from Old Trafford was intended to provide competition for Johnstone with no out-and-out No 1, the pair pushing each other to improve, much like Johnstone was due to do with Guaita. Both were earmarked as long-term options.
The risk is that Palace return to the position they were in during the summer, where they are in need of a second quality goalkeeper. But at least it would not be forced upon them, as it was by Guaita’s ‘refusal to play’.
Their 20-year-old academy prospect Owen Goodman has impressed on loan with Colchester United in League Two this season, but he is not ready to be an understudy in the Premier League and will look to continue his development. Joe Whitworth, 19, has two Premier League appearances but no other senior experience. He has not played first-team football this season and would benefit from a loan.
Finding someone who is prepared to be the backup but still good enough to compete to start games is difficult, while Palace’s priorities in the market will be elsewhere.
It worked out well with Henderson but there is no guarantee it will be replicated this summer.
(Top photo: Johnstone and Henderson are worthy of being Palace’s No 1. Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
