Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope has shared his thoughts on the commencement of the 2023-24 season and his exclusion from Gareth Southgate’s England squad. Assessing his performance with the Magpies, Pope acknowledges that there’s always room for improvement.
In the current season, Pope has managed to secure seven clean sheets in 18 appearances for Newcastle United, showcasing his goalkeeping prowess with crucial saves. Despite their impressive defensive record in the previous season, the team hasn’t been as sturdy in the ongoing campaign.
When asked to evaluate his start to the season, Pope admits that while he is content with certain aspects, there are moments where he would have preferred better outcomes. Expressing a typical player’s perspective, he states that in any season, one tends to scrutinize and seek improvement in specific areas.
Although a regular presence in the England squad in recent years, Pope has been absent from the last four squads following his withdrawal in March due to injury. The 31-year-old has not played for England since the 3-3 draw against Germany in September 2022.
Reflecting on his absence, Pope emphasizes his determination to make it challenging for Gareth Southgate to exclude him in the future. He acknowledges the coach’s responsibilities with a large pool of players to manage and understands the need to focus on those in the squad. Pope sees this situation as motivation to enhance his performance and regain a spot in the England squad for the upcoming major tournament.
Addressing any potential fallout, Pope denies any issues, clarifying that his absence was due to necessary surgery on his finger, which was long overdue. He looks inward for improvement and expresses his desire to contribute to the national team’s success.
Pope’s comments were made ahead of Newcastle’s Champions League group stage clash against Paris Saint-Germain scheduled for Tuesday, November 28, with an 8 pm kick-off.