Former England number one Paul Robinson has suggested that Karl Darlow could have set himself up for a move to another Premier League club in the summer, after losing his place to Martin Dubravka.
Darlow had been enjoying a fine campaign for the Magpies filling in for Dubravka, who missed most of the first half of the season through injury.
The former Nottingham Forest keeper managed to keep Steve Bruce’s side in a number of matches and has averaged 3.5 saves per game in his 25 Premier League appearances this term (Sofascore).
However, following Newcastle’s run of eight defeats in ten Premier League matches, and Darlow’s error when conceding the first goal in the 3-1 defeat at Manchester United, the decision was made for Dubravka to return against Wolves.
It has been reported by The Times that the keeper is unhappy with the way that he has been dropped from the starting line-up.
Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson suggested that it was always going to be very difficult for Darlow to fend off the challenge for Dubravka to reclaim the number one spot.
While he believes the keeper’s form this term has put him in the shop window for a potential summer switch to another Premier League outfit.
He said: “It is important now that clubs have two top goalkeepers. Almost every club has a very able number two.
“Karl Darlow is in the best form of his career. He can probably feel hard done by to have been brought out against Wolves. He has had a good run of games and played very well.
“The big problem he has is that Dubravka, a world-class goalkeeper, is sat on the bench waiting.
“Dubravka did not put a foot wrong before his injury. It was only a matter of time before he came back in because managers are loyal to their number ones.
“Darlow always had a difficult task. What Darlow has done is given himself an opportunity of playing again, if Dubravka doesn’t perform, or getting a move elsewhere in the Premier League.”
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As Robinson suggests it was always going to be hard for Bruce to ignore Dubravka’s presence waiting in the wings to reclaim his position in the side. The Slovakia international has been one of the Magpies’ best players in the previous two campaigns and with a regelation battle now firmly on for Newcastle, you felt it was always likely he would be the one trusted to see out the season.
However, Darlow has made very few errors and instead earned the Magpies a lot more points than he has cost them this term with his performances. He is therefore right to feel a little aggrieved to be out of the team now. Dubravka did not cover himself in glory for Wolves’ goal at the weekend and that will also have been noted by the former Nottingham Forest stopper.
What Darlow’s form has done is put him in with a much better chance of securing a move if he wants to be the number one elsewhere, as he has suggested in the past. He has shown he is an able Premier League performer, so it will be interesting to see if another top-flight club are willing to take a chance on him this summer. It would be a move that he would certainly have earned.
