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The takeover does not bode well for Woodman’s Newcastle future

By Carson A Merk

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: Freddie Woodman of Newcastle United arrives at the stadium prior to the FA Cup Fourth Round match between Newcastle United and Watford at St James' Park on January 26, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: Freddie Woodman of Newcastle United arrives at the stadium prior to the FA Cup Fourth Round match between Newcastle United and Watford at St James' Park on January 26, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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With his future already uncertain with Newcastle United, Freddie Woodman won’t be assisted by the upcoming ownership takeover.

Freddie Woodman has been seen as the goalkeeper of the future for Newcastle United over the last few years. During that time, he has spent time on loan, like he is with Swansea City at the moment, and also stuck on the bench with action only coming in cup competitions or with the reserves. With the takeover drawing closer to reality, Woodman’s chances look bleak to break into the Newcastle United first team.

Martin Dubravka is the clear-cut number one goalkeeper as he has been since his arrival. The new ownership group would most likely add another proven goalkeeper to the group to compete with and likely backup Dubravka. The star Slovakian keeper is currently rehabbing a leg injury and if he were to get injured again in the future, you need someone that you can trust to step into that role. Karl Darlow and Rob Elliot are still on the roster currently and each of the competent, veteran goalkeepers have at least some top-flight experience: Darlow with 19 EPL appearances and Elliot with 52.

That’s not to say that Woodman isn’t a competent keeper or that he can’t develop into a Premier League-quality starter in the near future. But with the club’s growing ambition, it is unlikely that they would trust their starting spot in between the pipes to a 23-year-old goalkeeper that has only played consistently below the top flight.

Developing him as the club’s future goalkeeper isn’t a bad idea, but he hasn’t seemed content to be kept as a backup and you’d figure he would like to have some stability and a consistent starting job rather than just going on loan to a new club every season if Newcastle extended his contract that ends in 2021.

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With a year left on his deal, the club should sell him to Swansea City, a club that he reportedly loves, or another Championship club after this season. It’s better to get something for him this summer rather than letting him walk next year for nothing. He may become the player that he’s expected to be sooner than later, but Newcastle United’s new timeline and Woodman’s don’t seem like they will match up well.