Jamie Carragher says Newcastle have made a brilliant £10m signing and Eddie Howe knows it

Nick Pope showcased his exceptional goalkeeping skills during Newcastle United’s 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain, stealing the spotlight despite the post-match focus on PSG’s controversial penalty. The 31-year-old displayed top-tier performance in the Champions League, making numerous crucial saves against the likes of Kylian Mbappe.

Although Mbappe managed to score against Pope, it came through a last-minute penalty that many deemed unjust. Prior to this, Pope had been a formidable presence in goal, exhibiting unbeatable qualities and reflexes that could rank him among the world’s best goalkeepers.

Despite his remarkable display, Pope currently faces exclusion from the England squad. Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool defender, lauded Pope in his recent column for the Telegraph, highlighting his consistency and contrasting it with the comical mistakes of Andre Onana, who will be playing for Manchester United against Newcastle.

Carragher emphasized Pope’s significance in Newcastle’s rise from the bottom half of the Premier League to Champions League contention. He asserted that while Pope might not be considered world-class by everyone, Eddie Howe, Newcastle’s manager, values him as one of the club’s most astute signings.

 

Reflecting on Newcastle’s recent acquisitions under the ownership of PIF, Carragher praised the £12 million deal for Kieran Trippier as a top addition, placing Pope’s £10 million signing not far behind. Despite not appearing indispensable at the time of his arrival, Pope has proven to be an outstanding acquisition, showcasing brilliance in the previous season and maintaining impressive form this season.

While Pope has faced some criticism for occasional errors and questions about his distribution, his reliability as a goalkeeper aligns with Howe’s preferences. The manager appreciates Pope’s contributions since joining Newcastle in 2022, and the goalkeeper is currently enjoying a rich vein of form, raising hopes for a continued stellar performance against Manchester United on Saturday night.