The likes of Newcastle United goalkeepers Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale could be impacted amid a recent discussion of a rule change.
Ramsdale replaced Pope for Newcastle United’s win over Everton but it remains to be seen if Eddie Howe switches them again when both are fully fit.
Indeed, Pope suffered a groin injury in Newcastle training and only Howe knows if he would have started if that hadn’t have happened.
Who was your MOTM against Everton?! So many to choose from, let us know your thoughts…
Still, competition for places can only be a healthy thing within the Newcastle United squad and Pope was coming under increasing pressure following a series of high-profile mistakes.
Ramsdale’s future at the club is uncertain given he’s only on loan from Southampton but there is still a chance he’s signed permanently.
The two, along with every other goalkeeper in the land, could be impacted amid talk about a law change.
Rule change could see goalkeeper tactic changed
According to BBC Sport, a move to change the way in which teams often use their goalkeepers has been discussed.
At times, goalkeepers can go down injured as they cannot be forced to leave the pitch. In turn, that often allows teams to regroup and talk to their manager.
Outfield players used to do that, but a change from the start of the 2023/24 campaign meant those who went down injured were then forced to leave the pitch for 30 seconds.
Eddie Howe on Aaron Ramsdale after Newcastle United beat Everton. Is this fair?
“Aaron, I think, showed his qualities with the ball at his feet today, he distributed the ball very well.
“Wasn’t overly worked necessarily in terms of shots but what he did have to handle, he did well.”
Eddie Howe speaking after Newcastle United’s win over Everton
The report claims that the international Football Association Board’s Football and Technical Advisory Panels met in October to discuss a further potential change in the rules.
There was reportedly “support” for the idea that, if a goalkeeper goes down injured, the team would have to nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch for 30 seconds in order to improve the flow of the game.
It must be stressed that this was only a discussion and there is said to be an acceptance that goalkeepers may often genuinely be injured rather than simply buying time.
Who is Newcastle United’s first choice goalkeeper now?
A lot of Newcastle fans want Pope to be dropped in favour of his fellow England international.
Still, the jury is still out on Ramsdale being Newcastle’s first choice goalkeeper.
The Southampton loanee simply wasn’t tested enough against Everton.
While he did what he had to very well, it would be foolish to make a definitive conclusion based off a game that Newcastle were dominating.
It would, at this stage at least, appear unlikely that Pope will be back in action for Tuesday’s game against Tottenham.
Though Spurs are in dreadful form, they still boast a lot of quality. That is perhaps the game in which Ramsdale can be fully judged.
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