Micah Richards is thrilled Nick Pope has improved his ‘all-round game’ since the England ace joined Newcastle United. He also feels the goalkeeper warranted his World Cup spot.
Pope joined the Magpies over the summer for £12m after he endured relegation into the Championship at Burnley last season. Toon boss Eddie Howe targeted the shot-stopper to rival Martin Dubravka at St James’ Park. Yet he instantly ousted the Slovakian as the No.1.
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For good reason, too, with Pope immediately proving his worth on Tyneside and recording seven clean sheets in 15 Premier League games. No top-flight shot-stopper has shut more opponents out so far this season than the 30-year-old and Aaron Ramsdale (7) of Arsenal.
Now, Pope and Ramsdale are in Qatar fighting Jordan Pickford of Everton to be England’s No.1 at the World Cup. Gareth Southgate handed Pope his Three Lions debut in June 2018 and has awarded the Soham native 10 caps in total for seven clean sheets from 39 games.
Southgate also took Pope to the 2018 World Cup in Russia but did not afford him a second over Pickford. Surgery on a knee injury also denied the Newcastle star, then of Burnley, his place in England’s Euro 2020 squad. Ramsdale instead acted as Pickford’s backup in 2021.
Richards feels Newcastle’s Pope ‘fully deserves’ a place in England’s World Cup side
Richards believes the goalkeeper Southgate named in England’s 2022 World Cup squad is a stronger shot-stopper than in previous years after Pope’s progress with Newcastle. The 30-year-old has been outstanding under Howe with an array of crucial saves if under pressure.
A mistake against Germany in the UEFA Nations League in September was also not enough for Richards to feel Pope should not be at Qatar 2022. The former England right-back has backed Pope in his column for the Daily Mail given the goalie’s form for Newcastle, noting:
“He didn’t enjoy a great night for England against Germany in September but he has been spot-on for Newcastle and fully deserves his place in the squad. He has taken a step forward since leaving Burnley in terms of his all-round game and it has been good to see.”
Pope endured a frustrating time in England’s final game before the World Cup as the Three Lions drew 3-3 with Germany. He failed to show any command when on the ball and gifted Kai Havertz an 87th-minute equaliser after fumbling a simple save for Serge Gnabry’s shot.
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