Roy Hodgson: ‘Vicente Guaita refused to play for Crystal Palace during pre-season’

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Vicente Guaita has refused to play for the club during pre-season.

The 36-year-old Spanish stopper signed a new deal last November, extending his stay at Selhurst Park until the end of this upcoming campaign [2023-24].

He arrived from Getafe on a free transfer in 2018 under Roy Hodgson.

Guaita has recorded 154 appearances and 46 clean sheets for the Eagles during his time in South London.

Sam Johnstone became the number one and played the final nine games of last season after Guaita suffered a calf injury in the 2-1 Leicester City.

The former Valencia keeper was left out of the club’s pre-season tour in the USA and has not featured in a single game ahead of the new campaign.

“He [Sam Johnstone] is the only choice at the moment because Guaita is disenchanted with the club and has said he would like to move on,” Hodgson told the Scandinavian broadcaster Viaplay. 

“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. 

“Sam Johnstone is the number one and Remi Matthews is the number two

“When you sign a contract with a club, you commit yourself to what’s needed at that club,

“The classic thing that’s needed is to play football. When you no longer want to play football for that club, it does cause a lot of friction. I can’t physically make Guaita play, but it’s not certain the club will accept his refusal to play and they’ll let him go.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD