Aaron Ramsdale has been booted out of the England camp and told to head back to Tyneside early but this is one early return that’ll have Eddie Howe smiling.
The Newcastle keeper was given his marching orders by Thomas Tuchel ahead of schedule, with the Three Lions boss letting him leave before the second week of the international break even started.
It sounds brutal. It sounds like a rejection. But here’s the twist, it was pre planned. No fall out. No sulking. Just a sensible decision from the German gaffer.
And for Howe, who’s been sweating over his squad like a man watching a lottery ticket, this is genuinely good news.
Tonali storm still brewing
Let’s be honest. It’s been a nightmare fortnight for Newcastle.
First, they lost to Sunderland. That alone is enough to ruin a Geordie’s summer. Then the transfer vultures started circling.
Sandro Tonali yes, the same bloke they waited an eternity to sign, is now reportedly Manchester United’s top target. Top target. As in, they want him badly.
There’s even been whispers of a “secret agreement” for him to leave. Those have been shut down, for now. But the damage is done. The seed is planted.
And Tonali didn’t exactly help himself back in December, did he? “I don’t want to say I want to stay here 10 years,” he said. “In two, three, four, five years I will go.”
Not exactly a love letter to the Toon Army.
Losing Tonali just one year after flogging Alexander Isak for record money? That would be a body blow Howe doesn’t need. Especially with his own future being questioned after a ropey campaign.
Pope’s position under threat
But back to Ramsdale. His early return gives Howe a golden chance to take a proper look at him. And let’s be honest, Nick Pope has been shaky.
The stats don’t lie.
Ramsdale has played 10 league games this season. Pope has played 22. Clean sheets? Pope has seven. Ramsdale has one. Save percentage? Pope edges it 67.7% to 61.8%.
But here’s the killer. Errors leading to goals. Pope has made three. Ramsdale? Zero.
Zero.
For a team that’s conceded cheap goals all season, that’s massive.
Pope has been dropped for Ramsdale in recent weeks already. And some inside St James’ Park reckon it should’ve happened sooner. Ramsdale is better with his feet 66% pass completion compared to Pope’s 61.2%. He’s calmer. More modern. Less likely to shank it into his own net.
Howe’s old flame
Howe knows Ramsdale from their Bournemouth days. Six years ago, he called him “magnificent.” That wasn’t just manager speak. He meant it.
Now they’re reunited. And the smart money says Ramsdale stays as No.1 for the rest of the season and beyond.
Newcastle need to make his loan from Southampton permanent this summer. No messing about. Get it done. Then build around him.
Pope has been a good servant. But he’s error prone. And in a team chasing Europe again next year, you can’t carry a keeper who keeps giving goals away.
Ramsdale is the future. Tuchel just sent him home early. And for Newcastle, that’s a blessing in disguise.
