Roy Keane praises rumoured Spurs target for ‘perfect’ moment this week

Roy Keane has praised rumoured Tottenham target, Sam Johnstone, for his display in England’s 5-0 win over Andorra on Saturday. 

Tottenham were linked with a move for Johnstone during the summer on the back of his impressive showing for the Baggies in the Premier League last season.

However, the North London club instead chose to bring in Pierluigi Gollini from Atalanta on an initial loan deal with an option to buy while Johnstone remained at the Hawthorns. 

The print edition of the Sunday Mirror (03/10/21, p71) claimed that Tottenham could reignite their interest in the Baggies star when the transfer market opens in January. 

The report asserted that West Brom could demand £20m for Johnstone in January and that Spurs had scouted the goalkeeper on multiple occasions this season.

Johnstone started between the sticks for England in their World Cup Qualifier against Andorra, with Gareth Southgate naming a largely second-string side.

The 28-year-old kept a clean sheet as the Three Lions emerged 5-0 winners and he also played a big part in Jack Grealish’s goal, with the goalkeeper’s bullet-like throw feeding the run of the on-rushing City star.

Reacting to Johnstone’s display, Keane told ITV Sport (09/10/21 at 9:50 pm): “He has had a quiet night.

“He hasn’t had much to do, so whatever he has had to do, you hope he does it properly.

“Good reaction from Jack (Grealish), when he sees the keeper getting it. Good execution. Good throw and Jack does the rest. Lovely goal and the keeper will be pleased.

“Jack’s reaction, he’s away and you are thinking can he (Johnstone) put it ahead of Jack? Perfect throw, but having said that, it’s their job now. Distribution with their feet. But it was nice to see Jack acknowledging it.”

Spurs Web Opinion 

I rate Johnstone very highly but I do not see why Spurs would go for the Baggies number one in January unless Nuno and his coaching staff have already decided that Gollini is not the answer.

One would expect the Italian to serve as Lloris’ understudy for the remainder of the campaign before the club make a decision on him at the end of his loan spell.

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