Just one season after joining Nottingham Forest from Arsenal, US national team starting goalkeeper Matt Turner could already be on the move. CBS Sports’ James Benge reports that Crystal Palace are closing in on a loan deal for the goalkeeper.
Benge’s latest news on USMNT No. 1:
The USMNT international has dropped to third choice at the City Ground and will need to move to a club willing to offer him regular game time if he is to establish himself in new head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s plans. Palace, meanwhile, need depth behind Dean Henderson following Sam Johnstone’s move to Wolves. This may not be a move that guarantees Turner minutes, but it at least moves him closer to a starting spot.
With Turner losing the starting role at Nottingham Forest, this is a move to seek more playing time, but it is unclear how much more he will play beyond cup matches. The move from a crowded goalkeeping position to a primary back-up is an improvement and Henderson has only started more than 20 Premier League games in a season once, so durability is a concern.
Pochettino is expected to take over the USMNT and his arrival could also bring new expectations for players like Turner, who are not regular starters at their clubs. It makes sense why that would move Turner, but going from one murky picture to a slightly clearer picture where he’s still not a starter doesn’t make much sense.
It’s a move that means that when he plays for Crystal Palace, part of the USMNT defense could be in front of him in Richards and it’s also one that brings Tunrner back to playing football in London after initially playing there was stationed during his time at Arsenal. Things like already being established in the city can also help with any adjustment, but it all comes down to the number of minutes accumulated.
If Turner can’t get into a starting role at Crystal Palace, it opens the door for one of Ethan Horvath, Gaga Slolina or Patrick Schulte to challenge for the starting role with the USMNT. Turner broke through to lead the USMNT at the 2022 World Cup and has been the undisputed starter for the national team ever since, but that could be coming to an end.