Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland has been namechecked as an option for England’s Euro 2024 squad after Sam Johnstone was ruled out of the tournament. According to a report by the Daily Mail (27 March), the Crystal Palace shotstopper suffered an elbow injury in training with England squad and is now set to miss up to 15 weeks after undergoing surgery.
That will rule him out of contention for Euro 2024, where he was set to serve as Jordan Pickford’s understudy, and Butland is now considered as an option to be called up to the squad this summer in his place.
“England second-choice goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is undergoing surgery on Wednesday morning and will miss Euro 2024,” they wrote.
“Johnstone is having an operation to repair the damage on his elbow on Wednesday before entering a period of recovery that means he will not be available for the European Championships.
“The former West Brom man was in pole position to head to Germany as Pickford’s back-up, particularly given Aaron Ramsdale is not playing at Arsenal and Nick Pope’s long-term injury at Newcastle.
“Southgate promoted Burnley keeper James Trafford into his squad on Sunday to replace Johnstone, while Jack Butland could be an option if Johnstone fails to prove his fitness.”
England have missed their boat with Butland, because the international friendlies against both Brazil and Belgium would have been the perfect opportunity to give him a try.
Jordan Pickford is the undisputed number one for the national team and that’s fine because he has never let down Gareth Southgate and has earned that spot.
But the England squad and staff already know that, and they should have used this window as a chance for other players to play and show what they can do if they need to step in for whatever reason.
Johnstone got injured in training in a freak incident and there’s no reason that same thing couldn’t happen to Pickford, and there isn’t an English goalkeeper playing at a higher level than Butland this season.
His best pathway is to continue focusing on Rangers now and just hope, because if Southgate chose not to take him this time then taking him when it really matters seems highly unlikely.
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