Nick Pope signed a long-term contract at St James' Park in 2022 and now wants to end his career at Newcastle
Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope
Newcastle United keeper Nick Pope(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Nick Pope is Newcastle United's great survivor after emerging as number 1 this summer at St James' Park.
The Magpies stayed at the bidding table for James Trafford until the final hours of his release clause only to be gazumped by Manchester City who activated a £27m buy back option.
Despite links with Burnley himself and Eddie Howe trimming down his goalie brigade, Pope stayed with Martin Dubravka heading to the Clarets and Odysseas Vlachodimos loaned to Seville.
Undaunted by the arrival of his one-time England colleague Aaron Ramsdale, Pope admits it was difficult to avoid talk of being replaced.
Pope told Chronicle Live exclusively: "There will always be goalkeepers linked with Newcastle, whoever it is, that is part of the game.
"You can only ever focus on yourself and what is best for yourself and the team at the time.
"It was always far from my thoughts to leave, but there was no doubt in my mind about playing for anyone but Newcastle United.
"I could quite easily finish my career with Newcastle, I don't want to sound like an idiot but I feel like I am a really good goalkeeper and have played a lot of Premier League games.
"I know myself and I am looking forward to things now, we go into the Champions League again and that's where I want to play."
Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope on stage with the Carabao Cup during the Carabao Cup trophy parade
Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope on stage with the Carabao Cup during the Carabao Cup trophy parade
Pope survived a pre-season glitch at Celtic in a 4-0 defeat when his air shot at Parkhead gifted Johnny Kenny the easiest goal of his career.
Pope has since recovered and has produced two shutouts in the first three games - and his super saves against Chelsea at the end of last season to book a Champions League slot have not been forgotten, nor has the stop in the 0-0 draw vs Leicester in 2023 which also secured a place at Europe's top table.
Any qualms about being replaced by Ramsdale, who arrived on a season long loan from Southampton, have quickly been eased.
Pope said: "I know Aaron from England, he is a good lad and a good keeper. He is coming in to improve the squad.
"He is a good character and the last few years that is what we have been built on, that is our squad."
Pope was sent off just days before the Carabao Cup final in 2023 after a rush of blood against Liverpool resulted in a handball outside the area to deny him his spot in the Wembley final against Man United, which Newcastle lost 2-0.
Two years on Pope played in a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Wembley producing a huge save to deny Curtis Jones.
Pope said: "Of course, I know I have had some really good spells at the club now and a couple of difficult games too, as everybody does across three years at a club.
"Now I feel like my body and mind are in a really good place.
"Mentally, I am really looking forward to this season, we have a top group of players now.
"I look forward to going into the building every day with the boys to work and we hope we can have another exciting season."
Pope's best form could again come when it matters and after keeping a clean sheet at the San Siro against AC Milan two years ago, he is capable of fining the form Howe knows he is capable of.
He told me: "In any season the run-in is a massive part of it, so it was nice to play a part in that Chelsea game.
"I'm not sure we run that final day against Everton again as I am not sure we covered ourselves in too much glory.
"We have played in a lot of big games in recent years but that one was one we were most disappointed with, but the end result and fifth place was the prize we wanted at the start of the season. That's gone now and we move forward."