Newcastle United's Goalkeeper Battle: Aaron Ramsdale vs Nick Pope

Newcastle United's goalkeeper battle between Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope is set to intensify. Who will win the starting spot?

Eddie Howe's Newcastle United side is gearing up for the Premier League season with a less-than-ideal pre-season campaign, largely due to the drama surrounding Alexander Isak's future. The Swedish striker's potential departure has become a major distraction, with Liverpool's recent £110 million bid being rejected by the Magpies, who value him at around £150 million. Isak reportedly wants to leave and has informed Newcastle of his desire to explore other options, with Liverpool being his preferred destination.

Transfer Saga Developments:

• Liverpool's Interest: The Reds are keen on signing Isak and had previously pursued Hugo Ekitike before signing him for £79 million. They're rumored to be planning to use funds from potential sales to facilitate Isak's transfer.
• Newcastle's Response: Eddie Howe has stated that Isak needs to earn his place in training after being left out due to speculation surrounding his transfer. The club is looking to replace him, with potential targets including Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Yoane Wissa.
• Isak's Current Situation: The striker has been training alone with Real Sociedad and has been left out of Newcastle's pre-season tour due to a minor thigh injury and the ongoing transfer speculation.

With the Premier League season just around the corner, Newcastle's upcoming fixtures will put their preparations to the test:

• August 16: Newcastle United vs Aston Villa at Villa Park
• August 23/25: Liverpool FC vs Newcastle United at St. James' Park (date subject to confirmation)
• August 30: Newcastle United vs Leeds United at Elland Road

Newcastle's Underwhelming Pre-Season

Newcastle United's pre-season has been a major concern, with the team failing to impress in their four friendly matches. Despite having some players rest while others were busy at the Club World Cup, the Magpies have looked tired and out of sorts, struggling to find their footing. The results have been disappointing, with a 4-0 thrashing by Celtic, a 3-2 loss to Arsenal, a humiliating 1-0 defeat to K-League Stars, and a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

The lack of form is a worrying sign as the Premier League season approaches, with key players seemingly struggling to find their rhythm. The team's performances have raised questions about their preparation and readiness for the new season, and Eddie Howe will be keen to address these issues before the campaign begins.

Newcastle United has made some key signings to bolster their squad for the upcoming Champions League campaign. Anthony Elanga, a 23-year-old winger from Nottingham Forest, has joined the team for £55 million, bringing much-needed pace and dynamics to the Magpies' attack. His skills and Premier League experience will undoubtedly strengthen the squad.

On the other hand, 18-year-old Antonio Cordero, signed from Malaga on a free transfer, is more of a long-term prospect. He's expected to be sent out on loan to gain experience, but his potential is undeniable. Another promising signing is Seung-soo Park, the “Korean Messi,” who joined from Suwon Bluewings for an undisclosed fee. Park impressed in a pre-season friendly despite Newcastle's loss to a K League XI.

Newcastle United's Confirmed Signings:

• Anthony Elanga: £55 million from Nottingham Forest, a proven Premier League player with impressive skills and experience
• Antonio Cordero: Free transfer from Malaga, a promising young player expected to be loaned out for experience
• Seung-soo Park: Undisclosed fee from Suwon Bluewings, a highly-rated winger with impressive skills
• Aaron Ramsdale: Loan signing from Southampton, adding goalkeeping depth to the squad

While these signings are a step in the right direction, Newcastle may need to make further additions to their squad to be competitive in the Champions League.

The loan signing of Aaron Ramsdale from Southampton is a significant move for Newcastle United, as it brings healthy competition to the goalkeeper position. Ramsdale's experience and quality will push Nick Pope for a starting spot, potentially improving the team's overall performance. However, this move also means Martin Dubravka will likely drop to third choice, potentially impacting his playing time and development.

Impact on Newcastle's Goalkeeper Situation:

• Competition for Starting Spot: Ramsdale's arrival creates a competitive environment, pushing Pope to perform at his best and giving Newcastle options.
• Dubravka's Role: Dubravka's demotion to third choice might lead to him seeking playing time elsewhere or working hard to regain his spot.
• Ramsdale's Experience: The England goalkeeper's experience and quality will be a valuable asset for Newcastle, potentially making a significant difference in crucial matches.

Martin Dubravka, 36, understands the need for fresh faces in the squad, especially with the arrival of Aaron Ramsdale, who is nine years his junior and six years younger than Nick Pope, 33. Ramsdale's signing creates healthy competition, pushing both Pope and Dubravka to perform at their best.

Ramsdale's Credentials:

• England International: Ramsdale is one of only two goalkeepers in Newcastle United's history to have represented the Three Lions, alongside Nick Pope.
• Experienced Campaigns: Despite a tough season with Southampton in 2024/25, Ramsdale is eager to prove himself and make the first-choice decision difficult for Eddie Howe.
• Competition: Ramsdale's presence will undoubtedly push Pope and Dubravka to elevate their game, benefiting the team overall.

With Ramsdale's competitive spirit and experience, he'll likely play a significant role in Newcastle United's upcoming matches. The team's recent friendly against Tottenham Hotspur ended in a 1-1 draw, showcasing the competitive nature of the Premier League.

Reunion with Eddie Howe

Aaron Ramsdale has expressed his excitement about reuniting with Eddie Howe, stating, ”Working with the manager and his coaching staff again was a big draw for me.” This reunion is significant, as Ramsdale had previously worked with Howe during his time at Bournemouth. The familiarity and trust between Ramsdale and Howe could play a crucial role in the goalkeeper's success at Newcastle United.

“They've already had a great influence on my career and the gaffer turned me from a man into a professional footballer at Bournemouth.

“He really showed me the ropes so the manager and his coaching staff were a huge selling point for me to come here.”

Aaron Ramsdale has consistently demonstrated his skills as a goalkeeper, playing in 155 domestic games since the 2020/21 season, starting every single one of them. During this period, he has made an impressive 482 saves. His save percentage has regularly been in the upper 60% range, showcasing his reliability between the posts.

Aaron Ramsdale. Welcome to St. James' Park 3️⃣2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/uFGo947gpi

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) August 2, 2025

Recent Performance:

In the 2024/25 season, Ramsdale maintained his high standards with a save percentage of 64.9%. Although this figure is slightly lower than some of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League, it's worth noting that he faced a high number of Expected Goals on Target (xGOT) per 90 minutes, making his performance even more commendable.

Comparison to Other Goalkeepers:

Some top goalkeepers in the Premier League have achieved higher save percentages, such as:

• David Raya: 73.5%
• Matz Sels: 73.3%
• Mark Flekken: 73%
• Alisson: 72.5%

Ramsdale's ability to make crucial saves and his consistency make him a valuable asset to any team. His experience playing for clubs like Sheffield United, Arsenal, and Southampton has undoubtedly contributed to his growth as a goalkeeper.

Comparing Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale

Nick Pope has had a notable career, playing in just five more games than Aaron Ramsdale during the same period, with 479 saves. His Premier League save percentage peaked at 75.3% in the 2020/21 season. Although his save percentage has slightly dropped, he remains in the low 70s range.

Passing Statistics:

Ramsdale has attempted significantly more passes than Pope since the 2020/21 season, with 4505 passes compared to Pope's 3574. However, Pope has a higher pass completion percentage of 65.3% in the Premier League during the 2024/25 season, compared to Ramsdale's 59.4%. This difference in passing statistics could impact their respective team's playing styles.

Aaron Ramsdale's statistics are even more impressive considering he played for Southampton, a relegation-threatened side, for most of last season. In contrast, Nick Pope and Newcastle United had a much more successful campaign. This context highlights Ramsdale's resilience and ability to perform under pressure.

Ramsdale's Experience and Ability:

Ramsdale has previously excelled under Eddie Howe's management at Bournemouth and has also had a successful stint with Arsenal. Until David Raya was preferred by Mikel Arteta, Ramsdale had consistently delivered for the Gunners. His experience and ability make him a strong contender for the starting spot at Newcastle United.

Aerial Dominance and Goalkeeper Style

Both Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope demonstrate strong aerial presence in their penalty boxes. Ramsdale wins 33 out of 38 aerial challenges and 57 out of 68 within the box, showcasing his dominance. Pope's numbers are similarly impressive, with 56 wins from 66 aerial challenges and 77 from 97 elsewhere in the penalty box.

Clearing vs. Catching:

Pope tends to favor punching the ball out rather than catching it, evident from his 86 clearances compared to 13 gathered balls. While he has dropped the ball 11 times without directly conceding a goal, Eddie Howe might look to improve this aspect of his game. Ramsdale's approach to aerial challenges and ball handling will be an interesting aspect to monitor as the season progresses.

Aaron Ramsdale's tendency to drop the ball 25 times is an area that needs urgent attention. His high number of punches, 61, also suggests a preference for clearing the ball over prioritizing safety. In goalkeeping, safety should be the top priority unless there's no other option. Given that both Ramsdale and Nick Pope have been steady but not spectacular in recent seasons, improving this aspect of their game could make a significant difference.

Eddie Howe can take comfort in knowing that both Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope are unlikely to cause their defenses to panic with error-prone goalkeeping. However, their tendency to punch the ball away rather than catch it might be seen as excessive, and potentially warrants attention to ensure they're prioritizing safety and control whenever possible.

The intense competition between Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope will likely drive both goalkeepers to perform at their best, which is a boon for Eddie Howe. With both keepers having represented England in recent years, a healthy rivalry already exists, and this competition for the starting spot will only fuel it. This rivalry will benefit Howe, as he'll be able to pick the best goalkeeper for each match, ultimately strengthening the team.

With the World Cup on the horizon, Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope have a golden opportunity to prove themselves as potential understudies to Jordan Pickford or even stake a claim as Thomas Tuchel's top choice if Pickford suffers an injury or a dip in form. Tuchel has emphasized the importance of playing in European competitions to prepare for the World Cup, which might put Pope at a disadvantage since Newcastle didn't qualify for Europe this season, but Ramsdale's experience in the Champions League with Arsenal could give him an edge.

Key Considerations:

• European Competition Experience: Playing in European competitions is crucial for Tuchel's plans, and Ramsdale's experience could be beneficial.
• Pickford's Current Status: Jordan Pickford is likely to remain England's first-choice goalkeeper, given his extensive experience and 75 England caps.
• Competition for Spot: Ramsdale and Pope's rivalry could push both to perform better, benefiting Tuchel's team.

Tuchel's expectations and the World Cup's proximity will undoubtedly drive both goalkeepers to give their best, potentially changing the England team's dynamics.