When Nick Pope was ruled out for the next 4-5 months following surgery on his shoulder, Sky Sports’ Keith Downie and The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards reported that Martin Dubravka would be given December to prove his worth before the club consider signing another goalkeeper.
Since then, it’s fair to say the Slovakian has failed to cover himself in glory, struggling in back-to-back defeats to Everton and Spurs.
Prior to his injury, Pope had conceded just seven goals in his last 10 games following that 3-1 defeat to Brighton three months ago. No Premier League goalkeeper has registered more clean sheets (6) than the former Burnley man. In Dubravka’s two starts, he’s already conceded seven; as many as Pope let in during his previous 10.
It must be said that we have performed poorly as a team against Everton and Spurs – the seven goals conceded across those two games aren’t all on Dubravka – but he could’ve done better for four of the seven let in during that time and is believed to be managing a shoulder issue of his own.
McNeil’s shot went through him at Everton, he was beaten at his near post by Neto after failing to make himself big, he was caught in no man’s land for Richarlison’s second at Spurs and was clumsy to bring down Son for their penalty.
Responding to the Dea Gea and Ramsdale links after Pope’s injury, Luke Edwards said – ‘They plan to give Dubravka the opportunity to show he can step up this month. If there are problems defensively between now and end of the year they could reassess things but hope is he will show his quality in forthcoming games.’
Sadly, there has already been a clear decline defensively, so I suspect the club will be assessing their options, even if Dubravka is likely to keep his place ahead of Karius for crucial games against AC Milan and Fulham this week.
