USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner close to loan move to Crystal Palace: Will he get needed minutes?

Just one season after joining Nottingham Forest from Arsenal, United States men’s national team starting goalkeeper Matt Turner could be on the move. CBS Sports’ James Benge reports that Crystal Palace is working on a loan deal for the goalkeeper.

Benz’s latest article on the USMNT’s No. 1:

The USMNT international has dropped to third choice at the City Ground and needs to move to a club that can give him regular playing time if he is to establish himself in incoming head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s plans. Meanwhile, Palace need depth behind Dean Henderson following Sam Johnstone’s move to Wolves. It may not be a move that guarantees minutes for Turner, but it at least gets him closer to a starting spot.

With Turner losing the starting role at Nottingham Forest, this is a move to get more playing time, but it’s unclear how much he’ll play during cup games. Moving from a crowded keeper room to becoming the primary backup is an improvement and Henderson has only started more than 20 Premier League matches in a season once, so durability is a concern.

Pochettino is expected to take charge of the USMNT and his arrival could also bring new hopes for players like Turner who are not regular starters at their clubs. It is understandable why Turner left for this reason, but going from an unclear picture to a slightly clearer one where he is still not a starter doesn’t make much sense.

It’s a move that means he could have a piece of the USMNT defense in front of him in the form of Richards when he plays for Crystal Palace, and it’s also a move that would get Turner back to playing his football in London, as he initially lived in London during his time with Arsenal. Things like already being settled in the city could also help with any adjustment, but it all depends on the minutes accumulated.

If Turner fails to settle into a starting role for Crystal Palace, it opens the door Either of Ethan Horvath, Gaga Sloganina or Patrick Schulte to challenge for a starting role with the USMNT. Turner has been the undisputed starter for the national team ever since, set to lead the USMNT to the 2022 World Cup, but that could be over.

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