England’s goalkeeper pool has been affected by Crystal Palace’s Sam Johnstone’s injury, ruling him out of Euro 2024. Johnstone sustained an elbow injury during England’s camp for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, requiring surgery that ended his season. This injury comes as a blow to Gareth Southgate’s squad, which was already missing Nick Pope due to a dislocated shoulder. Burnley’s James Trafford has been called up as a replacement for Johnstone, highlighting the depth concerns in England’s goalkeeper options.
After being set to start against Belgium, Johnstone’s injury forced Everton’s Jordan Pickford into the spotlight, despite errors in the game. With Pope’s potential return still uncertain, Southgate faces a dilemma as he evaluates his goalkeeping choices for the Euros. Aaron Ramsdale, Dean Henderson, and James Trafford are among those vying for a spot alongside Pickford, with each facing their own challenges, including lack of club minutes and injury concerns. The injury list for England extended further during the Belgium game, as John Stones also had to be substituted early on.
Southgate expressed satisfaction with the performance of the inexperienced squad against Belgium, despite not securing a victory. The injuries within the team have offered a chance for newer players to showcase their abilities, albeit against top opposition. Southgate emphasized the importance of these games as an opportunity to test players and find the right balance in the squad for the upcoming Euros. The challenge lies in managing the numerous injuries and uncertainties as the competitive season progresses towards the tournament in Germany.
England’s status as one of the favorites for Euro 2024 adds to the pressure on Southgate to finalize his squad decisions. The goalkeeper position has become a crucial area for evaluation, with injuries impacting the depth and options available. Johnstone’s absence due to injury has highlighted the need for a reliable backup to Pickford, who himself has faced criticism for recent errors. As the Euros draw closer, Southgate will need to assess the goalkeeping candidates carefully to ensure England’s defensive stability and performance in the tournament.
In conclusion, Sam Johnstone’s injury has created a setback for England’s goalkeeper pool ahead of Euro 2024. The absence of the Crystal Palace goalkeeper adds to the challenges facing Gareth Southgate as he navigates the team’s injury concerns and squad selection process. The performances of James Trafford, Aaron Ramsdale, and Dean Henderson will be closely monitored as Southgate evaluates his options for the tournament. The injuries sustained during the friendlies against Brazil and Belgium have forced England to rethink their goalkeeping strategy and make critical decisions to ensure success in Euro 2024.
