Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has backed Eagles star Dean Henderson to challenge Jordan Pickford for the goalkeeper spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England team.
Dean Henderson is backed by Palace’s top keeper to challenge for England’s No. 1, according to Oliver Glasner. Fellow former Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone was the one who carried the ball when the Austrian took over in February 2024.
However, Johnston injured his elbow the following month while on international duty with England and never played for Palace again. He was sold to Wolves for £10 million and currently sit bottom of the Premier League. Henderson, who lost to David de Gea at Old Trafford, saved a penalty in the final to win the FA Cup with Palace.
And after winning his fourth cap against Albania earlier this month, he is now Jordan Pickford’s biggest rival in the England squad.
“Obviously in football sometimes things happen. I think just before I arrived, Roy Hodgson changed a goal. Sam Johnstone was number one at Everton and did really well over there. And I said, ‘If it goes in a goal, I’m going to change it again,'” Glasner said ahead of Sunday’s midday home game against Manchester United.
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“And when I arrived, Sam was No. 1. Then he got called up to the England squad, where he got injured and missed the rest of the season, and then Dean came on big. And for me, I always want to have a clear No. 1. I think every goalkeeper needs to have the confidence that they’re No. 1, because as a goalkeeper, if you make a mistake, that’s usually the goal.”
“And we need confidence and trust from everyone, especially the manager, that this can happen and we don’t have to think about it.
“Dean was obviously No. 1 last year and I told him that, but Sam Johnston couldn’t accept this for him and I had to accept it. He accepted, ‘Okay, then maybe I should quit.’
“Matt Turner came in and we had clear communication. Dean started as number one. That doesn’t mean he can do whatever he wants, but as long as he’s doing well he’s number one. He’s number one.”
“And it was the same with Walter Benitez (who has only played two games in the Carabao Cup this season). But yes, Dean has performed really well and deserves to play for England.”
“But to be fair, when I watched Man United v Everton, Jordan Pickford played very well!”
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