Nick Pope has been talking to The Athletic this week about his summer time transfer to St James’ Park and a few of the key components that satisfied him to make the swap.
Curiously, he insists that Eddie Howe hasn’t given him any assurances over the No 1 spot – regardless of many believing he’ll mechanically bounce above of Martin Dubravka within the pecking order.
The 6ft 6′ stopper admits this feels just like the “good” transfer to assist him “push to the following stage” at a key stage of his profession – particularly with the World Cup just some years away – nonetheless, it appears his place in Howe’s beginning 11 is something however a forgone conclusion at current, with the supervisor decided to have two high quality gamers combating for every place.
Pope additionally revealed how Kieran Trippier “offered the transfer” to St James’ Park when the pair linked up on England responsibility in June, saying the right-back spoke so extremely of the membership – making his resolution “a lot simpler” after turning into conscious of our curiosity on the time.
Right here’s what the previous Burnley stopper has needed to say on the entire above, beginning along with his conversations with Howe – who tried to signal him for Bournemouth again in 2019:
Nick Pope on his chat with Eddie Howe earlier than he signed:
“I knew the supervisor had needed me earlier than however that doesn’t change the uncertainty. I didn’t all of a sudden assume, ‘He’s undoubtedly going to signal me’”
“So when he known as for the primary time to inform me the place he noticed me becoming into his plans, that was such a aid.
“He stated he’d been following me for a very long time, he favored lots of my attributes as a goalkeeper, and he believes he can take me and the membership to the following stage and past.
“There are already prime goalkeepers right here and, no, there’s no particular assurances I’ll be No 1.”
“The supervisor needs competitors in each place so we enhance individually and as a staff. We all the time push one another. The issue as a goalkeeper is there’s just one beginning spot.
“However, sure, no assurances, although I really feel that is the proper place to push myself to the following stage.
“If I can say after my profession that I’ve been No 1 at Newcastle for a sustained interval, when the membership’s at a very formidable stage, that’s one thing I’ll look again on with nice pleasure.”
Nick Pope on his conversations with Kieran Trippier previous to him signing:
“I used to be poking him for data, with out attempting to offer something away about me perhaps becoming a member of Newcastle.
“The switch wasn’t broadly identified about and I didn’t need to let the cat out of the bag, or jinx it. However he should have been sick of me as a result of I saved asking him questions; in regards to the membership, town, the coaching, the supervisor, the squad, how he discovered the transfer, the place he sees Newcastle going as a membership.
“I already needed to hitch however he made my resolution a lot simpler as a result of he spoke so extremely.
“He offered the transfer to me, even when he in all probability didn’t realise that’s what he was doing.”
