Th Napoli man has been heavily linked with a reunion with Rafael Benitez at Newcastle, but Given pointed to the goalkeepers already at the club.
Shay Given – Newcastle United
Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given is very excited to see what his former club do in the summer transfer window, but has reservations over links to goalkeeper Pepe Reina as he believes the club has a number of Premier League standard goalkeepers already, he told talkSPORT and subsequently covered by the Newcastle Chronicle.
The Magpies are expected to spend big this summer all over the pitch, but have Tim Krul, Matz Sels, Karl Darlow and Rob Elliot at the club vying for the number one goalkeeping spot, while youngster Freddie Woodman massively impressed on loan at Kilmarnock and is seen as a possible first team player of the future.
Newcastle United’s Karl Darlow
However, according to the Northern Echo, Benitez wants to bring Reina into the club as well as having a complete overhaul of the goalkeeping department, which would see Darlow, Sels and Krul depart, while Elliot remains as number two.
Given however – who is arguably Newcastle’s best ever Premier League era goalkeeper – is of the opinion that as the Magpies have several top flight standard goalkeepers already, another goalkeeper isn’t necessary and would rather see spending on other areas of the pitch.
Newcastle United’s Shay Given (L) appeals and team mate Peter Ramage (R) looks dejected after Jermain Defoe scored Tottenham Hotspur’ first goal
“Pepe Reina has got a relationship with Rafa Benitez, so you can see the link there,” Given told talkSPORT, as covered by the Newcastle Chronicle. “But Newcastle have got four or five goalkeepers who can play in the Premier League.
“It will be interesting to see if Mike Ashley backs Rafa Benitez and they go heavy in the transfer market because they need to strengthen and to stay in the Premier League.”
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
Darlow was magnificent for Newcastle in the 2016/17 season and Krul has proved his quality on many an occasion in the past – making both huge losses if they were to depart – and while Sels hasn’t really shone when given the opportunity at St James’ Park, he’s only 25 and could still come good.
Reina has had an excellent season with Napoli in Serie A and would be an upgrade on the goalkeepers at the club – even despite being 34 – and obviously has an excellent relationship with Benitez, but to clear out almost the entire goalkeeping staff would be reckless, and something that Newcastle would later regret – especially in the case of Darlow.
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