Newcastle United ace Martin Dubravka has been nominated for a Premier League award that no Toon star has ever won.
The 36-year-old enjoyed renewed game time during the winter months while fellow shot-stopper Nick Pope was out injured.
Martin Dubravka made the most of his starts, keeping several clean sheets and helping Newcastle United to a sensational nine-game winning streak which tied the record for the most in the club’s history.
Pope has since retaken his spot in the starting XI after returning from injury and has done an excellent job, helping Newcastle win the Carabao Cup and qualify for the Champions League on the final day of the season.
The 33-year-old is expected to have competition next season, but he has still been praised by Howe for his performances throughout the 2024/25 campaign.
While Pope continues to be the first-choice goalkeeper, Dubravka has been nominated for a Premier League award for a brilliant moment this season.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Martin Dubravka nominated for Premier League save award
Since joining the club in 2018, Dubravka has always been relied upon to deliver when the time comes. Having lost his place as a starter when Pope arrived, Dubravka has still shown signs that he is a top-quality goalkeeper over the last two years.
Now, Dubravka could be awarded for his form this season, as he has been nominated for the Premier League’s Save of the Season award for his remarkable stop during a 3-0 win against Wolves in January.
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Dubravka won the Save of the Month award for the stop and will now compete against fellow winners of the same award in other months.
Talking about the save on Newcastle’s official website in January, Dubravka said: “It is extra special because the whole preparation for the game pays off at that moment. You know that you did something right during the week.
“It’s not just that save, but it’s repetitions. You’re constantly working during the week on the opponent and you try to replicate it – and in a situation like this you’re happy.
“I tried to prepare myself for a tap-in, and just spread myself to try to react. Then Sven (Botman) tackled me at the same time! So I was happy that I could make the save, but at the same time I was sore because he smashed my hamstring from behind!
“But it was a special moment for me at the time – and to keep a clean sheet as well, it always counts. I didn’t want to give anything to Wolves.”
The award, which started in the 2021/22 season, has never been won by a Newcastle player, so Dubravka will be making history if he wins. The Slovakian has been nominated for the award one one other occasion in it’s inagural year, Pope also recieved a nomination for a save in the 2022/23 season.
Martin Dubravka’s future at Newcastle United
While Dubravka could receive an award for his moment of brilliance soon, there is a chance he will not be with Newcastle next season.
Dubravka nearly left Newcastle for Al-Shabab in January, and had even begun packing his belongings to get ready for the big move. However, Howe was able to convince him to stay and even got him to sign a new deal.
2024/25 Premier League statistics Martin Dubravka
Appearances 10
Clean Sheets 5
Goals Conceded 12
Saves 29
This summer, reports have stated Celtic are interested in Dubravka, having turned down the opportunity to sign him in 2024 after signing Kasper Schmeichel.
With James Trafford likely to sign for Newcastle this summer, Dubravka could be pushed further down the pecking order and closer to the exit.