Crystal Palace star ready for starring England role after Oliver Glasner intervention

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Dean Henderson is challenging to be England's No.1 after being backed to be Palace’s top keeper, according to Oliver Glasner . Fellow former Manchester United keeper Sam Johnstone was the man in possession when the Austrian took over in February 2024.

But Johnstone suffered an elbow injury the next month on England duty and never played for Palace again . He was sold to Wolves for £10m and is now bottom of the Premier League . Henderson, who lost out to David de Gea at Old Trafford, has since won the FA Cup with Palace after saving a penalty in the final .

And he is now Jordan Pickford ’s biggest rival for the England job after winning his fourth cap against Albania earlier this month.

Before hosting Manchester United at midday on Sunday, Glasner said: “It's obvious that sometimes in football things happen. I think it was just before I arrived, Roy Hodgson made a change in the goal. Sam Johnstone was No.1 at Everton and he did really well there. And then I said: ‘If I'm coming in at, I'm going to make a change back again’.

“And so when I arrived, Sam was No.1. And then he was called out for England and he got injured there and missed the rest of the season and then Dean did so well. And for me, I always want to have a clear No.1. I think every goalkeeper needs the confidence that he's the No.1. Because as a goalkeeper, if you make a mistake, usually it's a goal.

"And you need the confidence and the trust from everyone, especially from your manager that this can happen and you don't have to think about it.

“It was clear Dean was the No.1 last year and I communicated this and Sam Johnstone couldn't really accept this for him, and I had to accept it and that: ‘Okay, then it's maybe better to leave’ which he did.

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“Matt Turner came in and it was clear communication. Dean started as No.1. That doesn't mean that he can do whatever he wants, but as long as he is doing well, he is No.1.

"And it was the same with Walter Benitez (who has only played two Carabao Cup games this season). But yes, Dean is doing, really, fantastic and deserves to play for England.

"But also, to be fair, when I watched Man United against Everton, Jordan Pickford did quite well!”

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