Newcastle told Erling Haaland oversight is 'the exact same' as Magpies star

Former Manchester United shot stopper Ben Foster has drawn comparisons with Man City striker Erling Haaland and an unlikely Magpies star.

Speaking to The Football Fill-In podcast, Foster's co-host Tom Ochoa claimed Newcastle United's Nick Pope does not get the praise he deserves because of his stature between the posts. Standing at 6ft3in tall, Pope has been a brick wall between the sticks since joining the Toon from Burnley back in 2022, playing a huge part in their top four finish in 2022/23.

Former England international, Foster, agreed with his co-host. “Guaranteed, that is exactly what it is,” he said. “Look at Erling Haaland for Man City.

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"He gets chances and scores chances and creates chances that other strikers would not be able to because he is physically so much more of a specimen than everybody else that he can make a chance. It’s the same with goalkeepers and Nick Pope.

"He is able to get a hand onto that one in the last minute because he’s so big. It all comes down to his body position as well. He stays big, he doesn’t sink too low. Just keeping the ball out of the net – he is one of the best you will see.”

Although Pope has come under scrutiny for his kicking, there are few better shot stoppers in the Premier League than the Newcastle number one. Eddie Howe heaped praise on the Magpies goalkeeper after his return from international duty with England.

Speaking after the win over Wolves, Howe said: “I’m really pleased for Nick. Whenever a player goes away on international duty, it’s always a different dynamic.

"With the players that we keen here, we can really focus on what they’re doing and we’re in tune with their performances. When players go away, they miss our contact time and there’s always that trust about how they’re going to come back.

“But you can see how Nick has come back, and the effect he has on the team. He made two or three great saves that ultimately end up helping us win the game. He’s a top-class goalkeeper and I’m delighted for him.”