Nick Pope ranks among the best goalkeepers in the Premier League for the role of a sweeper keeper according to the latest statistics. @noteddieffc has taken to social media to post a number of graphs highlighting the effectiveness of Premier League shot stoppers.
The Magpies are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign the England international for a fee that could rise to £15million after Burnley were relegated to the Championship. The 30-year-old will be keen to stay in the top flight in order to force his way into Gareth Southgate's squad for the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
Despite approaching the latter stages of his career, no goalkeeper won the WhoScored Man of the Match award more times than Pope in Europe's top 5 leagues last season, picking up the award five times. The shot-stopper has regularly drawn praise from fellow managers for playing his part in solidifying Burnley's back line, but he looks set for a move away from Turf Moor.
READ MORE: Newcastle edge close to Nick Pope deal but he will have to dislodge Martin Dubravka as number one
The proposed move to St. James' Park would see Pope compete with Martin Dubravka for the number one spot and his arrival would not guarantee a starting place in Eddie Howe's squad. However, it does give an insight into how the Magpies head coach is looking to develop his side moving into next season.
Newcastle were largely improved at the back last season, but still shipped too many goals. You need just look at the result against Tottenham Hotspur to see the Magpies frailties laid bare.
Of course, there was little Dubravka could have done with the majority of those strikes, but the Magpies stopper has also come under fire last season. So what would Pope bring to the side that the Slovakian doesn't already offer?
Pope ranks second behind Liverpool's Allison Becker for the role of sweeper keeper, comfortably ahead of Manchester City's Ederson in third place - measured on sweeping actions completed and the average distance away from goal. The 30-year old also ranks top of percentages of crosses stopped with 13 per cent and crosses stopped per game (between 1.30-1.35).
The Clarets stopper does have some work to do in terms of his actual distribution though. The average length of Pope's passing was the highest in the division, but less than 40 per cent of those were successful.
You could argue this says more about Burnley's style of play with a tendency to go long for target men up front rather than playing out from the back.
READ NEXT
Newcastle's 'world-class' stadium prospect may help with summer transfer targets
Jesse Lingard 'testing market' on big wage demands after Newcastle's January bid
Moussa Diaby could be £50m bargain as Newcastle hope transfer breakthrough
Fresh uncertainty at AC Milan on Botman could swing deal into Newcastle's favour
Nikos Dabizas opens up on Newcastle return and 'transformed' St James' Park
