Conjecture surrounds the future of West Bromwich Albion’s £20million-rated goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, but right now he is focused solely on realising a childhood dream.
Having been named in Gareth Southgate’s initial 33-man Euro 2020 squad, Johnstone could make his senior England debut in next week’s friendlies against Austria and Romania and potentially clinch a place in the final 26-strong group that will be named next Tuesday.
The ex-Manchester United trainee has enjoyed a fine debut Premier League campaign and, despite the Baggies’ relegation, Johnstone made over 150 saves – more than any other goalkeeper in the top flight – and is being linked with the likes of West Ham and Leeds.
It does not faze him in the slightest.
Nor does the prospect of making his senior England bow after winning 31 caps at Under-16, 17, 19 and 20 level when coming through the ranks at Old Trafford.
The 28-year-old had loan spells at seven different clubs before finally leaving United without making a first-team appearance and joining Albion in July 2018.
“I’m still a West Brom player and I’m just looking forward to going away with England, working hard and being proud of the moment,” Preston-born Johnstone tells i.
“I know there has been a lot of talk about my future but it’s in West Brom’s hands rather than mine so I’ll just put it to the back of my head.
“You never know what can happen in football because it’s a crazy world where things can change quickly.
“I’ve still got a year left on my contract at West Brom so, as things stands, I’ll be going back there for pre-season.”
Despite the season ending on a sour note, Johnstone had a year to remember.
“I’m gutted we got relegated but I’ve played against some of the best players in the world and made saves against them; I’ve made the most saves in the Premier League,” he adds.
“After all the loans I’ve had and having missed out on reaching the Premier League by losing in the play-offs a couple of times, I finally got there.
“I made my Premier League debut against Leicester on the opening day and I couldn’t sleep the night before.
“You’re coming up against players like Jamie Vardy and it was new to me but I thought I grew into the role nicely; making saves, learning and improving.”
Johnstone was called into the Three Lions squad in March for the World Cup qualifiers but did not play.
He earned inclusion in Southgate’s Under-21s squads but was never capped at that level.
“Going away with England every summer as a young lad was fantastic, but cannot compare to being with the senior squad,” he explains.
“Arriving at St George’s Park in March, I had sweaty palms even though I know everyone from all the different age groups – the staff, the manager and most of the players.
“But the senior side is such a big thing and you want to make an impression by training well and being at the standard of everyone else.”
Johnstone is in the initial squad with Everton’s Jordan Pickford, Manchester United’s Dean Henderson and Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale while Burnley’s Nick Pope is absent through injury.
“It will be a privilege to train alongside Pickford, Henderson and Ramsdale,” Johnstone says.
“I was with Nick in March and he’s a great goalie and a great person, so it’s not nice to see him sidelined.
“But injuries happen regularly in football and I just have to be fit, fresh and ready for the friendlies and then see what happens after that.
“It’s down to the manager whether I play but it would be an incredibly proud moment if I did. To make the Euros squad would be unbelievable.”
Johnstone uses a personal trainer away from his club to maximise his performance levels, saying: “He’s a guy who I work with once or twice a week and helps me to be the best I can be.
“I’ll put the kids to bed, drive to Preston, and work with him one to one on my speed, power, core strength, footwork and weights – literally everything.
“I’ve done it for the past two seasons but this year I’ve done it more often with not having as many midweek games.
“It took me long enough to get here so I wanted to be ready for the Premier League.
“That’s something I’ve been massive on this year – managing myself and being ready for game-day.”
Away from football, Johnstone has become a shareholder in an app that allows tradespeople and customers to agree job specifications and budgets ahead of work commencing.
He had been asked to beta-test Kiistone during the full refurbishment and extension of his family home in Altrincham. He added: “It’s a neutral app, so we’re not siding with tradesmen or customers – it’s about building trust between them.”
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/2QT71Hl
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