BBC pundit urges Chelsea to sign NUFC’s most important player – “They should take a serious look”

Garth Crooks has urged Chelsea to sign Martin Dubravka – believing he is the ‘top class’ goalkeeper they need to consolidate their place in the top 4.

It’s fair to say the Slovakian has been our most important player this season. Without his miraculous saves and safe pair of hands, we’d have lost games we drew (see Saturday!) and taken just a point from matches we managed to get all 3 in.

He’s been outstanding and his superb form is now being recognised across the country – which is both what he deserves but also a worry for ourselves in our bid to keep him at the club.

Speaking in his latest team of the week column for the BBC, here’s what Crooks has had to say, believing Chelsea should take a ‘serious look’ at the Slovakian:

 Chelsea got away with this result having been let down, not on one occasion but two by Willy Caballero in the Chelsea goal. The Blues have a keeper problem having already dropped Kepa Arrizabalaga. Fortunately Antonio Rudiger was on hand to rescue Chelsea and Caballero from defeat.

Rudiger’s second goal was one of the best headed goals I’ve seen this season. Meanwhile the London club have gone from having Petr Cech and Thibaut Courtois – two world-class goalkeepers – to Kepa and Caballero, who both look like they’ve only recently been introduced to the game.

If Chelsea are serious about a top-four place they need to get a top-class goalkeeper. They should take a serious look at Newcastle’s Martin Dubravka.

He has 7 clean sheets this season – a tally that’s only been bettered by five Premier league goalkeepers – and is still just 31, being an age that’s considered relatively young for a player in his position.

Dubravka is also the only Premier League stopper to have made over 100 saves this season – a stat that doesn’t reflect well on us but one that shows just how good he’s been when called upon.

He recently signed a new deal at the club, however we’re bound to receive interest from one of the league’s big boys if he continues to shine between the sticks – and we’re more and more vulnerable to losing him for as long as we continue to accept mid-table mediocrity.

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