Callum Wilson believes Nick Pope has been Newcastle United’s standout performer in 2022-23. A campaign featuring a Champions League push is going to provoke debates over the annual player of the season award in May.
Joelinton won the honour last year for his remarkable renaissance on Tyneside. However, as it stands, several candidates could stake a claim for the prize this time around.
Toon number nine Wilson thinks Pope deserves special recognition for his efforts between the sticks. Newcastle have kept a club record 10 league clean sheets in a row, owing much to the heroics of the England goalkeeper.
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There were reservations about the need to sign a shot-stopper last summer as Martin Dubravka had held the position firmly for four-and-a-half years. But nobody of a black-and-white persuasion would argue the case now.
The £10million paid to Burnley is arguably the signing of the season, with calls for Pope to displace Jordan Pickford on the international stage. Speaking to the Footballer’s Football podcast, Wilson hailed his Newcastle teammate for his personality on and off the pitch.
“As a team, you defend from the front and you attack from the back,” he said. “The guys (defence) are keeping clean sheets but that is because we are stopping the supply.
“It is all about the team. The boys at the back are doing a fantastic job but, if you do not press from the front, they will be under pressure and, eventually, get broken down. Obviously, Nick is a top lad. He is a really nice guy.
“I’m so happy for him. He’s keeping clean sheets and getting records for himself. We want him to get the Golden Glove, that’s probably something that is on his mind. As a team, the defence is doing so well.
“The boys are buzzing off clean sheets and that is our mentality. We’ve got the most in the top five leagues across Europe. The boys at the back deserve a special mention and I think Nick has been our player of the season so far.
“He has kept us in games when we have needed him. Against Crystal Palace, he pulled off a worldie. He’s an important part of the puzzle at the moment.”
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