Nick Pope has established himself as one of Newcastle United’s most important players this season and is now set to be rewarded with a new contract and a hefty bump in pay.
There’s no doubting the fact that without Nick Pope this season, Newcastle would not be where they are in the league, and certainly wouldn’t have reached the Carabao Cup final without his penalty heroics against Crystal Palace. Now, The Sun claims that he’s to be rewarded for his efforts with a new contract that will see him earn £100,000 per week before bonuses.
Pope is part of a back five that has surpassed everybody’s wildest expectations this season. Despite recent results, Newcastle still have the stingiest defence in the Premier League and are the only side in the competition to not have reached the 20-mark in the goals against column.
Newcastle set to offer Pope new contract
A lot of that is down to the defensive line, sure, but having Pope behind them as the last line of defence has been such an enormous part of Newcastle’s successes on the pitch.
When Pope signed for Newcastle from Burnley for £10m many fans were wondering if he was actually better than the current number one Martin Dubravka and as such, which one would be starting in the league games? After the squad numbers were released and Dubravka kept the number 1 shirt, we thought we had our answer, but the season opener saw Pope in goal and soon Dubravka would leave the club on loan.
Ten in a row
Soon it was clear why Eddie Howe had chosen Pope as his heroics week in and week out justified his position, eventually going on to have a run of ten consecutive clean sheets, with Tim Sherwood telling talkSPORT (broadcast on 15/11; 8:38) that he has been ‘outstanding’ this season.
Newcastle’s defence has been a bit more leaky lately and Pope has had to pick the ball out his net more than he’s been used to, but won’t take away from the fact that he’s earned himself an improved deal at Newcastle.