As Newcastle United tried to solve the goalkeeper problem, it reportedly emerged as something to see what would become one of the most surprising moves of the summer.
Newcastle goalkeeper problem
Since last summer, Newcastle’s interest in James Trafford has been a rather open secret. Reports suggest that Burnley’s shot stopper had already agreed to the Magpie. But a year later, Burnley is back in the Premier League, and it remains to be seen whether England International will complete the much-anticipated move.
If that doesn’t lead to traffic, whether Newcastle will pay attention to other places is a big question. Currently No. 1 Nick Pope has more injuries issues throughout the 2024/25 campaign, with both him and Martin Devravka not getting younger.
Premier League statistics 24/25 (via FBREF) | Nick Pope | Martin de lavka |
|---|---|---|
start | 28 | 10 |
Stored about 90 | 3.07 | 2.90 |
Save percentage | 71.7% | 70.7% |
A beautiful sheet | 8 | 5 |
Numbers do not draw beautiful pictures for the people of St. James Park. The fact that Pope missed 10 Premier League matches should send an alarm bell ringing around Tyneside. With Champions League football balancing alongside domestic action next season, the last thing that Howe needs is for his No. 1 to miss out on a long period of time through injury once again.
PIF needs money to spend this time following a frustrating period in PSR issues and must spend a lot of that money to give Howe a massive upgrade between the sticks. But if recent reports take anything, the magpie can shock the front.
Fraser Forster is a “person to watch out for”
According to Craig Hope of The Daily Mail, Fraser Forster has now become “watching eyes” as Newcastle appears to be signing another goalkeeper. The shot stopper could replace Vlakodimos of the Odesssees if he arrives. This summer, there’s a former Nottingham Forest man among players who could be shown the door at St. James Park.
Signing Forster, it remains an astonishing move by Newcastle, even if Vlakodimos departs. Their current goalkeeper harvest is already aged, and the addition of a 37 year old child will hardly alleviate the problem.
The Tottenham goalkeeper was the one who praised Ange Posescoglou in December, and the Australian told reporters after Forster’s mistake against Liverpool. “He’s also disappointed because he was outstanding to us. He didn’t have much to do before that, and even in the first half, he thought he was really good for his feet.”
Forster is a well-experienced player, but what’s clear is that Newcastle needs more than his arrival to solve the problem of stopping shots this summer.