---
title: "Former Man City Defender Believes Newcastle Have Lost Their ‘Best Player’"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2020/10/19/former-man-city-defender-believes-newcastle-have-lost-their-best-player/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Newcastle United News"
published: "2020-10-19T12:00:39Z"
modified: "2020-10-19T12:00:39Z"
---

# Former Man City Defender Believes Newcastle Have Lost Their ‘Best Player’

Newcastle United look set to be without their ‘best player’ according to one former Premier League player.

A report in [The Times](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/setback-could-push-newcastle-uniteds-martin-dubravkas-return-from-injury-back-to-december-lxzdcldt3) last week claimed Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he undergoes treatment for a heel injury.

The 31-year-old has been ably deputised by Karl Darlow for the beginning of the Premier League campaign, however, Dubravka [has been sensational](https://theathletic.co.uk/1302178/2019/10/20/dubravka-has-taken-goalkeeping-in-newcastle-to-a-new-level-but-can-the-club-keep-him/) since he arrived on Tyneside and former Manchester City and England defender Danny Mills believes the stopper is a ‘big loss’ to the Toon.

Speaking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/big-exclusive-danny-mills-worried-by-critical-newcastle-update-from-times/), Mills claimed Dubravka, who signed for the club from Slavia Prague in 2018, has ‘been probably their (Newcastle’s) best player.’

Mills who played [19 times for England](https://www.transfermarkt.com/danny-mills/erfolge/spieler/3743) said: “He has made some vital saves and has been crucial to that team. Dubravka’s a fantastic shot-stopper. He has been probably their best player.”

The 43-year-old continued: “A good goalkeeper gives the defence confidence and belief and allows them to play with freedom and confidence. That flows all of the way through a team. It is so important to have a good goalkeeper.”

### READ NEWCASTLE VERDICT

Whilst Dubravka’s reported absence until December is a huge blow to Steve Bruce’s squad, Darlow’s performances as the acting number one have been [assured enough](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/karl-darlow/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/99397/plus/0?saison=2020&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=) for the goalkeeping worries not to be regarded as too much of a hindrance.

Despite conceding four in Saturday’s home defeat to Manchester United, the 30-year-old has always [been reliable](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/karl-darlow/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/99397) when called up in his who five years at the club since [signing from Nottingham Forest](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/karl-darlow/transfers/spieler/99397).