Martin Dubravka has been a revelation at Newcastle United and showed us what a true, first choice goalkeeper looks like.
In the two transfer windows for this season, Rafa Benitez pushed for two things: an effective striker and a veteran goalkeeper. The striker spot is a discussion for another day, with the club failing to solidify the position. Goalkeeper is a completely different story for Newcastle United.
Martin Dubravka arrived at Tyneside in January to little fanfare. He was joining the Magpies on loan from Sparta Prague and would add a veteran to the goalkeeping corps of Rob Elliot, Karl Darlow, and Freddie Woodman, who left on loan to Aberdeen.
Elliot and Darlow split the responsibilities this season and, outside of a few moments here and there, they did well enough for Toon Army not to beg and plead for a new player, like they have at striker. But, then we got to see Dubravka play in goal.
The Slovakian national team man has been incredible for Newcastle United. In ten appearances, he’s come away with three clean sheets. That puts him level with Elliot, who has started six more matches than him.
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Outside of the statistics, it’s the type of saves that he’s made. Elliot and Darlow typically saved the shots they were supposed to, but then conceded goals on every shot that they shouldn’t stop. Dubravka has made more remarkable saves than the other two goalkeepers combined. If you need an example of his impact, look at yesterday’s match against Watford. He was left exposed on two first-half goals, but the scoreline could’ve easily been 4 or 5 to zero if not for his heroics. Dubravka shut down a Troy Deeney penalty kick, then stopped a rebound attempt at point blank range. There was also the chance he stopped minutes earlier, before getting up to stop the follow-up attempt.
I didn’t think goalkeeper was a position of need with Darlow and Elliot on the roster, but after seeing Dubravka play, I know it is. Thankfully, Newcastle United will have a chance to sign the goalkeeper long term, due to an option to buy on his loan deal. Toon Army and I will be ecstatic to see the Slovakian stay put with the Magpies.