Roy Hodgson has revealed that the goalkeeper Vicente Guaita has “refused to play” in Crystal Palace’s pre-season matches after becoming “disenchanted” with the club.
The Spaniard lost his place to Sam Johnstone at the end of last season after Hodgson was brought in to replace Patrick Vieira as manager. Guaita, who joined from Getafe in 2018 on a free transfer, has been first choice throughout his spell at Selhurst Park and has made more than 150 appearances for Palace.
But the 36-year-old has entered the final year of his contract and wants to return to Getafe after failing to travel to the US with the Palace squad for their pre-season tour.
“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. So Sam Johnstone is No 1 and Remi Matthews is No 2.”
Guaita signed a year’s contract extension in January and Hodgson warned that it would up to Palace to decide his future. “When you sign a contract with a club, you commit yourself to what’s needed at that club,” he said.
“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.”
Palace are hopeful of having Michael Olise back in action soon after positive scans on his hamstring injury. The France Under-21 forward is expected to miss the first few weeks of the season and is being tracked by Chelsea and Manchester City.
It is understood that his contract contains a release clause that is higher than the £35m which has been widely reported. Asked if Olise will stay at Palace this summer, Hodgson told Sky Sports: “No one knows at this moment. If there are clubs desperately or seriously preparing a bid and tempting him then he’ll have a decision.
Palace are set to sign Lewis Hall on a season’s loan from Chelsea to provide competition for Tyrick Mitchell at left-back. The 18-year-old can also play in midfield.
