Newcastle United new boy Nick Pope is statistically better than Jordan Pickford at almost every aspect as a goalkeeper. Facts do not lie and the Magpies’ shot-stopper - who arrived from Burnley in midweek for £10million - comes out on top in all departments.
Regardless, Pope is forced to settle for a bit-part role with England while Pickford takes the spotlight on the international stage. The former Everton goalkeeper is one of Gareth Southgate’s most trusted lieutenants, earning 45 Three Lions caps - dwarfing the eight Pope has to his name.
Analysing the statistics may force the England boss to rethink his first-choice option ahead of the World Cup in Qatar. Pope has conceded 1.19 goals per game in the Premier League - an impressive record in a side consistently fighting relegation. Pickford, on the other hand, ships in 1.48 per match by comparison.
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The Newcastle goalie edges ahead of his counterpart in the saves per game ranks, too. His 3.33 is a fraction better than the 3.13 Pickford averages. However, Pope bags another home run in the cleans sheet charts.
Despite making 80 fewer top-flight appearances, the Magpies’ keeper is just eight behind Pickford’s clean sheet tally. Only superstar Brazilians Alisson and Ederson have registered more Premier League blanks than Pope in the last three seasons. A stellar 0.32 per game dwarfs the 0.17 Pickford has managed during his seven-year career.
One criticism Pope has faced since signing is his inability to play out from the back. While shot-stopping is his forte, the 30-year-old trails Pickford in the passing statistics.
Pope, on average, makes 27.48 passes per game and has totalled 1,429 accurate long passes in the Premier League. Southgate prefers a goalkeeper who is comfortable with his feet which is evident in his selection as Pickford’s figures are notably higher. The former Sunderland star records 30.84 per game, with 1,815 accurate long passes to his name.
Pope v Pickford (Premier League)
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