Pundit issues ‘£100m’ Nick Pope transfer verdict as Newcastle United star hailed ‘best in the world’
Newcastle United star Nick Pope is currently the best goalkeeper in the world.
That’s according to former Hibernian striker Tam McManus, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the goalkeeper’s current form.
Pope, 30, signed for Newcastle in the summer and has started all of their Premier League games this season.
No goalkeeper has kept more clean sheets Premier League clean sheets than Pope’s 11 and he has not conceded a goal since a 4-1 win against Southampton on 6 November.
He has kept 10 clean sheets in a row in all competitions and was hailed as “the best goalkeeper in the world” by teammate Bruno Guimaraes after Newcastle’s 1-0 win over the Saints on 24 January [Football Daily].
McManus claims Guimaraes’ assessment is correct.
“I don’t think he’s wrong. On current form, at the moment, who is better? Man City’s defence is struggling and Alisson isn’t at his best,” McManus told Football Insider‘s Ben Wild.
“Pope looks absolutely unbeatable at the moment. The save he made against Palace a few weeks ago was out of this world.
“Everything that comes his way, he stops. He can play with his feet as well. People say he isn’t the best with his feet but I’ve never seen him misplace a pass.
“How much did he sign for, it was about £10million. How much would they sell him for now? It would have to be about, what, £50million?
“If he was younger you would be talking double that. He’s an unbelievable signing.”
Newcastle are next in action against Southampton in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday (30 January).
The Magpies hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg.
In other news, a finance expert claims Newcastle United will pocket £15million from a ‘huge’ Premier League change.