Newcastle United have been linked with several goalkeepers this week but they already have ‘one of the best’.
The Magpies moved to within three points of Champions League qualification following last Sunday’s 2-0 win over Chelsea, with Pope playing a major part. At 1-0, the 33-year-old pulled off two excellent saves to deny Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez before Bruno Guimaraes made sure of the victory in stoppage time.
It wasn’t that long ago when Pope’s place in goal was up for debate. The 10-capped England international missed the majority of December and January with a knee issue and looked short of his best when he first returned. Meanwhile, Martin Dubravka had just helped Newcastle to a nine-game winning run.
But Pope has started every Premier League match as well as the Carabao Cup final since he returned to the starting line-up against Nottingham Forest in February. His next task is to keep Arsenal at bay when Howe’s side visit the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Eddie Howe heaps praise on Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope
“Your goalkeeper is always massively important to the team,” said Howe. “I think Nick has performed really well recently. We’ve seen a real contribution from him, albeit he hasn’t been too busy. If you look at the Chelsea game, there were two big moments and that is similar to the last few games.
“He hasn’t been overly worked but when you need him, he’s got to deliver and the two saves he made against Chelsea, especially the first one against Cucurella was a magnificent save. That was down to his positioning, he wasn’t too far across to his near post which gives him the ability to get down to stop it going inside the far post. I thought it was a brilliant save at a big moment in the game.
“In that phase of the game we were not totally in control and you need your goalkeeper to be there for the team and Nick has been in recent weeks.”
“Yeah, it may seem funny to say that about a goalkeeper because that is obviously what they are there to do but I do think he’s one of the best shot stoppers I’ve had the privilege to work with,” Howe added.
Read More
“He has this ability to get his positioning right and he has long levers, big arms and legs that he manages to get touches on balls some other goalkeepers wouldn’t because of his size and stature.
“He is also very good from crosses and we are going to need that coming into this game, set plays and all the things Arsenal possess as big strengths.”
Newcastle United linked with signing a new goalkeeper
Although Howe values Pope very highly, Newcastle are understood to be keen on signing a goalkeeper this summer, with several names linked this week alone.
James Trafford remains the number one target after the Magpies agreed personal terms with him last summer - according to Fabrizio Romano, that verbal pact remains in place - but couldn’t agree a transfer fee with Burnley.
Following the Clarets’ promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt, Mail Online reports that Trafford’s price tag is now around £30m.
Howe said: “I don't go through the rumours, so I've got no idea that we're being linked with goalkeepers. I don't know if I think it's the right time for me to comment on that. We have some very good goalkeepers at the football club who have done brilliantly this year, so I'd rather celebrate them.”
Continue Reading