Martin Dubravka is arguably Newcastle United’s best pound-for-pound signing since the club returned to the Premier League five years ago. In January 2018, the Slovakian shot-stopper was a relative unknown when Rafa Benitez signed him on deadline day but everyone on Tyneside knew his name 10 days later following a stellar debut against Manchester United.
A string of cat-like saves shut out Jose Mourinho’s rampant Red Devils and earned the on-loan goalkeeper the man of the match award on his debut. Further heroics forced Newcastle into paying a measly £4million fee to make the move permanent before other clubs came sniffing for a bargain.
Dubravka quickly became a staple of the side and played every minute of the 18/19 and 19/20 top-flight campaigns. In the latter, he made the most saves (140) in the division - a feat that merited Newcastle’s Player of the Year award.
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However, that has not stopped rumours that the Magpies are looking for a new goalkeeper this summer. A report by the Manchester Evening News in February claimed Newcastle were willing to offload Dubravka in exchange for Man Utd’s forgotten man Dean Henderson - someting that Eddie Howe was quick to deny. The England international may have youth on his side, but it is hard to argue that he has any other attributes that trumps the more consistent Slovakian.
There were reports last week that goalkeeper options are being drawn up by Toon chiefs ahead of the transfer window, with Chelsea flop Kepa Arrizabalaga a potential target. This would arguably be a downgrade on Dubravka - who has earned seven more clean sheets (33) than his Spanish counterpart in the Premier League.
The 33-year-old’s importance for Newcastle is proven by breaking down the stats. Since his arrival four years ago, the Magpies have a 35% win percentage with him in the team compared to just 19% without. Astonishingly, the club have kept just five clean sheets in the 36 games they have played without Dubravka.
It is no surprise that Eddie Howe’s side have improved defensively since their number one’s return. Under Steve Bruce, Dubravka’s goal was often peppered - hence the most Premier League saves in 19/20 - but, with Dan Burn and Fabian Schar forging a solid partnership, his services are not required as often. The last-gasp save against Southampton was as good as a goal and reminded supporters of how much the side used to rely on their goalkeeper.
There are holes Newcastle must fix before splashing out on a new goalkeeper this summer. Dubravka has earned the right to keep his spot for the time being and the stats certainly back that up.
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