Since first arriving at Newcastle United under Eddie Howe, Nick Pope has had quite the rollercoaster experience as the gaffer’s go-to goalkeeper.
Two Carabao Cup finals, two returns to the Champions League, two big spells on the sidelines due to injury, Pope has persevered and fully earned his place in modern Toon folklore for some big performances.
The arrival of Aaron Ramsdale earlier this summer to provide some competition to Pope cast some doubt on just how long he has left on Tyneside.
But in a new interview, the player himself has commented on the friendly rivalry between himself and his compatriot, and that he’s here for perhaps more than the foreseeable future…
Speaking to The Chronicle, Pope has affirmed his desire to stay at Newcastle in the long term, and even sees himself possibly retiring here.
Now 33-years-old, Pope still sees himself in the upper echelon of Premier League goalkeepers, and has kept two clean sheets so far this season, whilst we are the side who’s recorded the lowest ‘expected goals against’ (xGa) in the division.
“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.”
If Pope is picked to play against Wolves after the international break, and then the opening game of this season’s UCL campaign against Barcelona, then the tie against the La Liga giants will mark his 100th appearance between the sticks for us.
Naturally, many fans believed that signing Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton would see the English duo rotated to inspire some competition for the no.1 starting spot.
But Pope has shut down any idea of animosity between himself and Ramsdale, insisting that having two keepers of such high calibre is excellent for the squad.
“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.”
It remains to be seen as to how Ramsdale gets involved in the senior squad, though one would fancy him to get given the nod by Howe for the upcoming Carabao Cup clash against Bradford City.