Newcastle United snapped up Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton over the summer, as Eddie Howe reunited with the goalkeeper.
Eddie Howe made key additions to his Newcastle United squad over the summer, with another goalkeeper a key target.
The Magpies decided to add new competition behind Nick Pope as Odysseas Vlachodimos was loaned out to Sevilla.
Vlachodimos is impressing for Sevilla, but Aaron Ramsdale has yet to feature in a Premier League game since joining Newcastle.
Eddie Howe on Aaron Ramsdale in Newcastle United training
Ramsdale suffered relegation from the Premier League with Southampton last season and wanted a return to the top flight.
Howe came calling, having previously worked with Ramsdale during their time together at Bournemouth.
Some wondered whether Ramsdale could replace Pope, but that has not been the case so far this season.
Ramsdale’s only appearance has come in the Carabao Cup, as he started in a 4-1 win over Bradford City in September.
The 27-year-old will be pushing for a Premier League chance and appears to have impressed Howe.
Speaking to The Northern Echo, Howe praised Ramsdale for performing ‘really well’ in Newcastle training.
Howe feels that Ramsdale has brought a ‘positive energy’ to Newcastle, and he loves the chemistry between his goalkeepers.
Ramsdale is being charged with the task of pushing Pope as strongly as he can, with Howe believing in the power of competition for places.
“It’s the same in any position. You need to look over your shoulder thinking, ‘If I drop my standards here, I could lose my place’. I don’t think you want that as a conscious thought, you just want that there in the background,” said Howe.
“Aaron has come in and done really well in training. We’ve seen a really good, positive energy. A new player coming into the group sometimes gives you that, and I think the chemistry between the goalkeepers at the moment is really strong – that’s all of the goalkeepers we have. Aaron’s job is to push and to show every day how good he is,” he added.
Nick Pope nominated for award after impressing for Newcastle United
Ramsdale has proven himself in the Premier League over many years, but his pursuit of first-team football at Newcastle is a difficult one.
Pope may not be the best goalkeeper in the world with the ball at his feet, but he has been a dependable stopper for the Magpies.
Pope’s form for Newcastle has now been highlighted after he was nominated for the PFA Premier League Fans’ Player of the Month award for September.
The Newcastle ace faces a tough battle against some top players, with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland nominated.
Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi and Sunderland’s Omar Alderete are also nominated.
Pope may not win the award, but to be nominated shows the kind of impact he has between the sticks – and the challenge facing Ramsdale.
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