Newcastle United are set to be in the market for a goalkeeper this summer
Jacob Murphy of Newcastle United goes around goalkeeper Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Even before Newcastle’s 3-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, it was clear to everyone associated with the club that signing a goalkeeper will be a priority in the transfer window this summer.
Neither Nick Pope nor Aaron Ramsdale have managed to instil confidence on a regular basis this season. Newcastle look more solid with Pope in goal, namely because he makes big saves at big moments.
That is why Pope replaced Ramsdale in goal in last weekend’s defeat to Arsenal and that is why he retained his place in goal for the win over the Seagulls.
Inside the first minute of the match, he was forced into action, making a stunning save low to his left-hand side to deny Jack Hinshelwood from point blank range.
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He was then at his best to brilliantly deny Charalampos Kostoulas’ acrobatic effort in the second half, too, to send a reminder of just how good of a shot-stopper he has been over the years for Newcastle.
But this season, mistakes have been allowed to creep into his game and even in two good performances against Arsenal and Brighton, he has produced three moments that left Newcastle hearts in mouths.
Last weekend, he raced 35 yards out of his goal, only to miss the ball and wipe out Viktor Gyokeres with a reckless challenge. The covering Malick Thiaw was enough for Pope to avoid a red card but it did little to temper nerves around his position as the club’s goalkeeper.
And on Saturday, despite his two brilliant saves, he twice almost gifted Brighton a route back into the game with some poor decisions with his feet.
Newcaste United’s Nick Pope celebrates against Brighton(Image: Mark Runnacles/Shutterstock)
He first cannoned a clearance from a Thiaw back pass off Hinshelwood and thankfully it bounced back out off the post rather than in the back of his net. Not learning his lesson, in the second half his poor touch from a Lewis Hall back pass gave Georginio Rutter encouragement to charge down another clearance which thankfully bounced away from goal.
They were two huge let-offs but two reminders that Newcastle have to find an upgrade on Pope next season who can not only keep the ball out the back of the net but exude confidence when the ball is at his feet.
Ramsdale’s loan deal from Southampton won’t be made permanent and a replacement will be sought in the summer. James Trafford, Gregor Kobel and Robin Risser are on Newcastle’s shortlist and so, too, is Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
But if Saturday was a transfer audition, he certainly didn’t pass it. If Pope’s blushes were spared, Verbruggen’s certainly weren’t when Will Osula opened the scoring.
Bruno Guimaraes sprayed a cross-field pass towards the right-wing and Verbruggen decided to come for it, hesitated and then committed again, only to wildly miss the ball and wipe the onrushing Jacob Murphy out in the process.
Murphy recovered, whipped a cross into the penalty area and Osula headed into an empty net with Verbruggen stranded outside of his penalty area.
The Dutch international has proven himself to be a top goalkeeper since joining from Anderlecht three years ago. Interest in him is expected to be high this summer, with him expected to be Netherlands’ number one at the World Cup.
But if Pope’s decision making is under the spotlight, Verbruggen’s has to be as well. If Newcastle’s transfer decision makers were wanting to see a polished performance from him at St James’ Park, that decision may have left them with some doubts.