Newcastle United avoided a big bullet by not pursuing Sunderland keeper Robbin Ruiter, it seems.
When Sunderland signed Robbin Ruiter on a free transfer, it looked like a steal.
The goalkeeper impressed on a trial basis for Sunderland in a couple of pre-season friendlies after being released by Eredivisie side FC Twente earlier in the summer.
But fast forward a month and fans of the Wearside club are rapidly realising that there was a good reason why he was let go by the Dutch outfit.
The 30-year-old didn’t cover himself in glory for either of the Black Cats’ goals in Saturday’s disappointing 2-1 defeat by Sheffield United at the Stadium of Light.
It was his second start, following a 3-0 defeat prior to that one, and Newcastle United fans must be delighted that Rafael Benitez did not pursue the Dutchman.
HITC Sport reported back in July that Premier League side Newcastle were challenging Sunderland for his signature, though his subsequent signing for the Wearsiders might suggest that Benitez pulled out of a move for Ruiter.
Of course, the Magpies wound up failing to sign a goalkeeper, but so far the evidence suggests that the Spanish manager is far better off with Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow than he would have been with Elliot and Ruiter as his options.
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