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Krul making his presence felt at Newcastle in more ways than one

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This could be a big season for Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul. Looking at Newcastle’s pre-season matches and reports that are doing the rounds, it seems like the 23 year old will be installed as Newcastle’s number one for the season opener against Arsenal on Saturday ahead of experienced ‘keeper Steve Harper and fellow youngster Fraser Forster who has returned from a season-long loan with Celtic. But if that wasn’t enough, Krul seems to be in the business of encouraging players to join Newcastle, with his fellow Dutchman Erik Pieters the subject of the Magpies’ advances!

There is no doubting that Tim Krul is a very talented goalkeeper. We’ve known that for a long time; as long as five years ago when he put in a stirring display against Palermo in the UEFA Cup. Since then first team appearances have been few and far between, but he did make his Premier League debut last season and although he didn’t set the world alight, by all accounts he did a reasonable job. Remember, Krul is still a youngster, especially in goalkeeping terms, and has already won two full senior international caps for the Netherlands, which is no mean feat at all.

So, if Krul is given the goalkeeping gloves by Newcastle manager Alan Pardew for the coming season, the Dutchman will have his chance to prove his ability on the pitch. Off it, he has been trying to engineer a move to the north-east for Holland international left back Erik Pieters. Krul told De Telegraaf in regards to Pieters: “We are interested, the coach himself and the assistants have already seen a few matches of PSV and the question now is whether the clubs can work it out.”

Newcastle are most certainly in the market for a left back as Jose Enrique’s future at the club remains uncertain, something that hasn’t escaped Krul. The Dutchman further stated: “Our current left-back Enrique has a contract that expires, however, he won’t sign and is interesting many clubs.” Krul knows Pieters from his time playing for Dutch youth teams: “Erik is my friend since we played together at the World Championships in Peru in 2005.”

I wonder if Pardew will appreciate Krul talking so openly to the press, especially given the rants that Joey Barton has been having on Twitter recently. Surely it can’t help bringing attention to the fact that Newcastle are pursuing Pieters, but I suppose if Krul knows, it’s likely already to be common knowledge the way football news spreads these days. If their friendship can encourage Krul’s fellow Dutchman to join him on Tyneside then happy days, but all I want the ‘keeper to concentrate on this season is keeping clean sheets, and plenty of them!

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