David Seaman has questioned Nick Pope after the Newcastle United goalkeeper’s performance for England against Germany.
England needed to show something against Germany after a dismal UEFA Nations League campaign.
This was the final game before England head off to the World Cup and Gareth Southgate needed some kind of response amid questions about his future.
England were 2-0 down before Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Harry Kane turned the game on its head to make it 3-2.
Sadly, a Nick Pope blunder allowed Kai Havertz to equaliser, giving Germany a 3-3 draw at Wembley Stadium.
David Seaman has questioned Nick Pope
Serge Gnabry’s long-range strike was fumbled by Pope, straight into the path of Havertz for a simple tap-in.
Pope was given a chance to shine by Southgate but fluffed his lines even after a strong start to the season with Newcastle United.
It’s not just that error that has people worried about Pope though.
The Newcastle ace also had some nervy moments with the ball at his feet.
That’s notable because Pope’s competition – Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and even Dean Henderson – are a little better in this regard.
This was a concern back at Burnley, where Pope was mostly asked to play long balls into the strikers rather than attempt to pick passes into defenders and midfielders.
Playing under Eddie Howe should help Pope develop that side of his game but it will take time and he just isn’t quite there yet.
Former England goalkeeper David Seaman has now offered his take, telling Sky Sports that he thinks Pope will be disappointed with this handling for Havertz’s equaliser.
Seaman wasn’t sure about Pope’s approach to saving Gnabry’s shot but then added that he will also be disappointed with his distribution.
Seaman believes other teams are starting to notice Pope’s issues in terms of distribution and are pressing him to try and force mistakes, something that Newcastle and England will hope to improve quickly.
“He will be disappointed with the Germany third goal, no doubt,” said Seaman. “I don’t know whether he got caught in two minds about trying to go horizontal or to try and stay vertical and use a spook technique. It was a hard ball to deal with, but as a goalkeeper, you have to hold your hands up and it’s one that he’s fumbled.”
“Sometimes you get away with them, sometimes you don’t. He’ll be disappointed and he’ll be a little bit disappointed with his distribution. It’s something other teams are looking at and they are charging him down all of the time. This happened before, and I am sure he is working hard on it, but it was a chance for Nick and sadly he makes the mistake that costs England a win,” he added.
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