Report: Nick Pope’s Newcastle arrival has inspired improvement from Martin Dubravka

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Nick Pope was brought to Newcastle to inspire more competition in between the sticks, and that is exactly what he’s doing.

The goalkeeper joined the Magpies from Burnley in June, costing a reported £10million. He’s signed a four-year deal at St James’ Park, and looks like a really smart signing.

Eddie Howe has been keen to increase his goalkeeping ranks ever since he became manager, and he finally got his wish last month.

Newcastle now have two excellent stoppers, with Pope competing with Martin Dubravka’s to be the club’s number one.

The position has belonged to Dubravka ever since he joined the club in January 2018, but things might be about to change.

However, the Slovakian is doing his best to ensure that isn’t the case.

Martin Dubravka inspired by Nick Pope transfer

According to Newcastle World, the 33-year-old is a ‘totally different beast’ since Pope joined the club. They report that Newcastle signing a top quality goalkeeper has ‘ignited a competitive fire’ in Dubravka, who cost £4million four years ago.

That is excellent news, and already proves that Pope is a wonderful signing. He’s been brought in to raise the standards in the goalkeeping department, and his presence is forcing others to up their game.

It was already an interesting battle between the two goalkeepers, but Newcastle World’s report makes it even more exciting.

At the moment, it feels like Pope will come out on top. With a World Cup on the horizon, it would be strange for him to move to Newcastle without assurances that he would be the club’s number one.

However, he is going to be pushed all the way by Dubravka, who is an excellent stopper in his own right.

Whoever misses out will be disappointed. And if it is Dubravka, he may start to consider his future at St James’ Park. That’s what his agent suggested earlier this month, commenting that his client doesn’t just want to be a backup option.

The Rafa Benitez signing appears to be doing all he can to hang on to his place in the starting XI, and Howe will no doubt love that desire.

Come August 6th, it will be up to Howe to decide who is his number one goalkeeper.