OPINION
There is no questioning that Martin Dubravka has been a complete and utter success at Newcastle United since signing back in January 2018.
The Slovakian international seemed a strange signing halfway through the Magpies’ first season back in the Premier League, with the likes of Karl Darlow, Rob Elliot and hot prospect Freddie Woodman already battling it out for a place in the starting XI.
However, he went straight into the line-up, Rafael Benitez handing him a baptism of fire against Manchester United, and delivered an inspiring performance, keeping a clean sheet on the way to a 1-0 victory.
The 30-year-old has not looked back since, remaining first choice in their league outings and leaving Woodman and Darlow to fight it out for cup games – the pair having played just four times between them in the 2018/19 season.
With Elliot now well and truly out of the picture, the Chronicle stating that the Republic of Ireland stopper has been told to find a new club, it leaves the rarely seen duo as backup to Dubravka – but another option between the sticks would have them facing a battle for survival at St James’ Park.
Football Insider report that the Magpies have set their sights on snapping up Norwich City’s Jon McCracken, the 19-year-old said to be available for absolutely nothing as he looks to leave, and if he were to join amid this bargain hunt then there are undoubtedly too many goalkeepers to keep on board.
The decision for Benitez is whether he sticks with the experience of 28-year-old Darlow, who has 188 professional appearances under his belt, or whether he shows faith in the potential of Woodman, who at 22-years-old has 39 first team matches to his name, just four of those coming for Newcastle.
McCracken is one for the future and with 30-year-old Dubravka showing no signs of letting up in terms of his top class performances, Newcastle would only need one more first-team goalkeeper to call upon.
Darlow and Woodman look to be facing a fight for their futures at St James’ Park and considering how highly rated he is, the youngster looks the best option of the pair.
