Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland is in line for a return to the Premier League with Crystal Palace, following an injury to Palace’s back-up keeper Wayne Hennessey, according to The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath.
Jack Butland Crystal Palace Move Would See Reunion With Roy Hodgson
Former England Boss Gave Butland International Debut in 2012
Hennessey’s injury while on international duty with Wales has left Palace short on numbers in the goalkeeper position.
Vicente Guaita is currently the club’s first-choice stopper. However, Butland’s arrival would challenge the Spaniard for the number one jersey.
The London club do, though, face competition from Liverpool, who are keeping tabs on Butland. Their number two keeper, Adrian, has been less than convincing lately, including a disastrous performance in their 7-2 humiliation against Aston Villa.
Butland would most likely prefer a move to Palace – notably due to Roy Hodgson being the manager. Hodgson gave Butland his England debut in 2012, which shows he has faith in the 27-year-old.
At that time, Butland was emerging as a potential England keeper for years to come. However, his form has dipped considerably over the years. He is now behind Welsh keeper Adam Davies in the Stoke side.
However, he is still relatively young for a keeper. Hodgson has shown faith in him before, and most likely believes Butland can turn his career around and challenge Guaita for a starting place.
It would also potentially see the phasing out of Hennessey from the club. At 33, the most capped player in Wales’ history has struggled to displace Guaita since the Spaniard’s arrival in 2018.
Butland is six years Hennessey’s junior and has shown glimpses of his potential in the past.
Palace might be looking at now as the right time for a shake-up in the goalkeeping ranks. Indeed, Hodgson had hinted at the start of the transfer window that a “vital shake-up” was needed in the club.
Meanwhile, Stoke boss Michael O’Neill is confident the club would be able to deal with Butland’s departure so close to the end of the transfer window.
“Whether something happens or not before tomorrow’s deadline, I suppose, we’ll have to wait and see,” he said.
“If that situation arises we’ll address it at that moment in time. We’re prepared for eventualities like that. We’ve obviously done our work to try to preempt what may or may not happen and what you will do in a certain situation.”
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