Crystal Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita has responded after Roy Hodgson claimed the Spaniard refused to play as the Eagles face Sheffield United in their Premier League opener
Vicente Guaita has appeared to suggest he is being denied the chance to play for Crystal Palace after he wasn’t named in the squad to face Sheffield United.
Sam Johnstone was given the nod in goal for the Eagles’ Premier League opener at Bramall Lane, while Remi Matthews was handed with a place on the bench. This meant Guaita was left out of the 20-man squad altogether – days after Roy Hodgson claimed the Spaniard refused to play in pre-season.
Speaking to Viaplay, Hodgson said: “He [Johnstone] is the only choice at the moment because Guaita is disenchanted with the club and has said he would like to move on. He’s refused to play in our games so far.
“A complication is that he has a year’s contract. It’s up to the club to decide, not him. He’s made it clear to everybody he doesn’t want to be here and compete with Sam Johnstone. So Sam Johnstone is No.1 and Remi Matthews is No 2.”