Odysseas Vlachodimos warned his £20m move to Newcastle United was ‘clearly a mistake’

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Odysseas Vlachodimos has only played 45 minutes of football for Newcastle United since his move this summer.

There was a major reshuffle of the goalkeeping department at Newcastle United this summer. Two of the five major signings made over the summer were goalkeepers.

Newcastle decided to release Loris Karius at the end of last season and he is now considering retirement after failing to find a new club.

After losing Karius, Eddie Howe wanted to strengthen his goalkeeper options over the summer and Newcastle were linked with James Trafford as well as Aaron Ramsdale.

However, they ended up signing veteran goalkeeper John Ruddy and signing off a £20m deal for Odysseas Vlachodimos from Nottingham Forest.

Odysseas Vlachodimos Newcastle move was a ‘mistake’

Howe insists that Vlachodimos is still in his plans despite his lack of playing time since joining the club this summer.

His only appearance for the club so far has come in the second half of the 1-0 Carabao Cup win over AFC Wimbledon after Martin Dubravka was taken off with an injury.

It is hardly where Vlachodimos would have pictured his career at less than two years after leaving Benfica as their first-choice goalkeeper.

The 30-year-old has now been told his decision to move to England is “clearly a mistake”.

Greek commentator and “expert” Christos Sotirakopoulos spoke to Kicker about Vlachodimos ahead of Greece facing England in the Nations League.

Sotirakopoulos said: “He is a first-class goalkeeper who stands out above all for his inner calm. Regardless of whether there is a fire in the penalty area or boredom, he always remains calm and composed.”

However, when asked about his decision to move to Forest and then Newcastle, he added: “Clearly a mistake. He could have moved to Germany, Spain or Italy – in that order.

“There were plenty of offers. At Benfica he stood between the posts for a top team for five years. In Germany, for example, he knows the country, the people and the circumstances.”

Newcastle United may regret Odysseas Vlachodimos deal

Looking back, the Vlachodimos deal makes very little sense, especially at a price of £20m.

Newcastle did need a back-up goalkeeper, but adding Ruddy to the squad was enough support behind Nick Pope and Dubravka.

It seems to have been part of a deal to navigate PSR in addition to the £35m sale of Elliot Anderson to Forest, but to only come out of that swap deal with a small profit is something Newcastle may regret.

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Especially as Howe still seems to be on the lookout for another goalkeeper with Burnley’s Trafford still on Newcastle’s radar.

Newcastle already have five goalkeepers on their books, and Vlachodimos could end up being moved on without ever playing regular first-team football at St James’ Park.