If you were going to compare any Newcastle United player to Erling Haaland, you would think it would be Alexander Isak.
The Newcastle United player is probably the best striker in the Premier League after Manchester City’s number nine, with Alexander Isak scoring 25 goals in all competitions last season.
Isak is a world class player, and Toon fans are eager to see him burst into life after a slow start to the 2024/25 campaign.
However, Newcastle’s most expensive signing ever is not the Toon player who has been likened to Erling Haaland by former Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster.
Nick Pope compared to Erling Haaland
Foster has been speaking about the Magpies on The Football Fill-In podcast after Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City.
The former England international’s co-host Tom Ochoa suggested that Nick Pope does not get the credit he deserves because he is so big, standing at 6ft3in tall.
And Ben Foster completely agreed.
“Guaranteed, that is exactly what it is,” he said.
“Look at Erling Haaland for Man City. He gets chances and scores chances and creates chances that other strikers would not be able to because he is physically so much more of a specimen than everybody else that he can make a chance.
“It’s the same with goalkeepers and Nick Pope. He is able to get a hand onto that one in the last minute because he’s so big. It all comes down to his body position as well. He stays big, he doesn’t sink too low.
“Just keeping the ball out of the net – he is one of the best you will see.”
Newcastle United have seen exactly how valuable Nick Pope is this season
Haaland scores goals that others can’t. Pope makes saves that others can’t. It is a strange comparison, but it makes sense.
And when it comes to making saves, there are not many better than Newcastle United’s first choice goalkeeper.
It has made such a difference having Pope back, after he missed the second half of last season with a shoulder problem. The Magpies probably would have qualified for Europe had he been available.
But he is back now, and very much making up for lost time. Newcastle have won 11 points so far, and Pope can take credit for a fair few of them.
Pope made a decisive late save during Newcastle’s win over Wolves, while he helped preserve a point on Saturday.
His save to deny Bernardo Silva late on was special, and it resulted in Pep Guardiola praising Pope for his performance.
While the 32-year-old often struggles with his feet, as we saw in the first half against Man City when he nearly gifted Ilkay Gundogan a goal, he makes up for it with his ability with his hands.
Pope is an elite shot stopper, and will continue to win Newcastle United points with his exceptional ability in between the sticks.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
