Tuesday night time offered Newcastle United supporters with a consequence they will cherish for a really very long time.
Targets from Alexander Isak after which Anthony Gordon both aspect of half time noticed the Magpies beat Arsenal 2-0 in North London within the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final.
The 6,000 Geordie who packed out the Clock Finish concluded the night time by singing their very own distinctive rendition of “Que Sera, Sera” and, whereas they haven’t rubber-stamped their place at Wembley simply but, as famous by Tom Ede on Twitter, of the earlier 31 groups who’ve gained the primary leg of a League Cup semi-final away from house, 29 of them have reached the ultimate, suggesting they’ve a superb probability.
It was a very emotional night time for one Newcastle participant particularly, provided that it might nicely have been his 171st and final look for the membership.
Newcastle star on his approach out
As reported by Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, Newcastle have agreed a deal “in precept” to promote Martin Dúbravka to Saudi Pro League aspect Al-Shabab.
The White Lions are at present sixth within the Saudi Arabian top-flight and are managed by Turkish legend Fatih Terim, whereas their squad features familiar faces equivalent to Yannick Carrasco, Giacomo Bonaventura, Wesley Hoedt as soon as of Southampton and former Wolves winger Daniel Podence.
As famous by Simo Frigolé on Twitter, Al-Shabab’s first-choice goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu has ruptured his ACL for the second time in underneath a 12 months, doing so during a recent victory over Al-Orobah, therefore why they’re available in the market this month.
Martin Hardy of the Times hails Dúbravaka as a “incredible servant” to Newcastle, reporting that the Magpies will obtain round £4.5m for his signature, ought to the deal be finalised.
When the Slovakian shot-stopper arrived within the North East from Sparta Prague for £4.3m in January 2018, he had a direct affect, a key determine as they averted relegation.
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In 2019/20, he was named Newcastle United Player of the Year and has been a followers’ favorite from day one.
With the Toon Military on the cusp of Wembley, Dúbravka seems destined to by no means play in a League Cup Ultimate, having been cup-tied for the 2023 remaining, after enjoying two games on loan for opponents Manchester United earlier within the competitors, which means, uniquely, regardless of the actual fact his staff misplaced that day, he earned a winners’ medal.
Now, he seems set to depart earlier than the Magpies will certainly face both Liverpool or Tottenham in March’s remaining.
Why now’s the appropriate time for Dúbravka to depart Tyneside
Newcastle are under pressure to sell players in an effort to adjust to the Premier League’s Profit & Sustainability rules, with Eddie Howe stating “enterprise logic is taking on from soccer logic…we have been compelled to [sell players in June]… I feel we’re nonetheless in that place”.
On condition that Dúbravka is 35-years-old, and is out of contract in June, he’s an apparent participant to money in on.
What makes the timing awkward is the actual fact the Slovakian has began every of Newcastle’s last seven matches, all wins by which he is saved 5 clear sheets, whereas Nick Pope has been nursing a knee ligament issue suffered at Brentford.
Nevertheless, the Magpies even have 5 senior goalkeepers on their books.
Odysseas Vlachodimos, who’s seen simply 45 minutes of motion thus far, arrived from Nottingham Forest for £20m, with Elliot Anderson going the opposite approach for £30m, as each golf equipment skirted round PSR breaches.
In addition they have senior goalkeepers Mark Gillespie and John Ruddy, in case of emergencies, however Vlachodimos, who Chris Waugh and George Caulkin of the Athletic described because the “£20m goalkeeper they didn’t need”, could be the plain deputy for Pope, however how does Greece’s primary examine to Dúbravka?
|
Dúbravka vs Vlachodimos (22/23-24/25) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistic |
Dúbravka |
Vlachodimos |
|
Appearances |
61 |
78 |
|
Minutes |
5,427 |
7,019 |
|
Saves |
180 |
125 |
|
Save % |
74.9% |
69.5% |
|
Targets conceded |
69 |
66 |
|
Clear sheets |
25 |
39 |
|
Put up-shot xG – objectives allowed |
+2.4 |
-4 |
|
Move completion % |
78.2% |
81.2% |
As outlined by the information above, for the reason that begin of the 2022/23 season, Dúbravka has been a extra dependable goalkeeper than Vlachodimos, regardless of the actual fact the Greek goalkeeper spent the primary of those campaigns with Benfica, profitable the Primeira Liga title.
Put up-shot anticipated objectives (PSxG) is a metric used to find out how doubtless a goalkeeper is to avoid wasting a shot.
Nevertheless, Vlachodimos isn’t considerably worse sufficient that Dúbravka could be a significant loss.
In any case, we’re solely speaking about who can be Nick Pope’s back-up, and provided that Newcastle look like caught with Vlachodimos, they may as nicely use him greater than the second half of an EFL Cup tie in opposition to AFC Wimbledon that he is featured in thus far.
It’s going to be telling who’s donning the gloves for Sunday’s FA Cup tie in opposition to Bromley at St James’ Park.
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