State of the squad – Goalkeepers
With Rafa Benitez already working on possible signings and departures, let’s look at what we have in the squad and the options the Magpies boss has moving forward.
If we had one position who really is blameless in the relegation campaign, it’s the goalkeeper. Of course, we were very unlucky there with sad big injuries on international matches, but every time we needed the next man up, the lad came in and did his job and even more. Let’s look at every one of the four options we have there and what can be the best way to move forward to a hopefully only one season in the Championship.
Tim Krul
Age: 28
Contract years remaining: 1
Krul played only nine games last season before a horrible cruciate ligament rupture suffered playing a match for Holland. He’s been at the club for such a long time and always was one of the best players in our squad the last few years, but wasn’t playing at his best last season before his injury.
Rob Elliot
Age: 30
Contract years remaining: 3
Elliot came in after Krul’s injury and played 23 times in all competitions for Newcastle last season, before suffering his own bad knee injury while playing for Ireland. He was maybe the biggest surprise of our season, with really awesome performances who made him, for a lot of people including me, Newcastle United’s player of the season. The lad showed he really can be a number 1 for the Magpies.
Karl Darlow
Age: 25
Contract years remaining: 4
After losing our two most experienced options, Darlow had his shot and didn’t disappoint. He played 14 matches in all competitions. Was clearly fighting his nerves on the first couple of matches, but with more minutes he was able to get his confidence up and finished playing really well. Despite his young age, Darlow already has starting experience in the Championship and is another lad who really can be a number 1 option for Newcastle next season.
Freddie Woodman
Age: 19
Contract years remaining: Expired (rumours that Newcastle activated a 1-year option extension for next season)
The young golden boy was the only keeper who didn’t make his Premier League debut. Was sent on loan to Crawley Town, playing 12 matches for then in League 2 and League Cup. Called back after Krul’s injury, made seven appearances for the Magpies in the U21 Premier League.
What to do moving forward:
We really have four good option at a position who only one gets regular playing time (well, at least when your starter isn’t blowing up his knee on international matches). Krul’s already back in training, Elliot’s supposed to be ready for the start of the season and the two young lads are at full strength.
In my opinion, the best option for Rafa would be to sell Tim Krul. He’s well liked and did a lot for Newcastle all those years, but entering the last year of his contract, with by far the highest wages on the Goalkeepers group and with rumoured interest from Premier League clubs like Crystal Palace and his former boss and admirer Alan Pardew, it’s a no-brainer. After all, with Elliot’s and even Darlow last few matches, I’m not sure if Krul’s the best option for the club moving forward. With his wages off the books and his incoming transfer money, Rafa can sign players in other positions of need.
Rob Elliot is signed for three more seasons and I’m completely confident not only can he be our number 1 next season, but also can be the top goalkeeper in the Championship. Darlow showed potential as a Premier League goalkeeper and is another good option in the Championship. And we can’t lose a top prospect like Woodman, who’s to me the new Jack Butland, so, better promote him to the 3rd keeper and even give him a chance in pre-season to see if he can challenge Darlow for the number 2 spot.
Yeah, we always will remember Tim Krul, he was great for us, but it’s time to move on. It will help Rafa to add pieces who will help the Magpies more in the battle to come back to the Premier League. The goalkeeper is a position of strength and we need to take advantage of it.