Nick Pope has insisted he did not demand the number 1 shirt at Newcastle United ahead of his £10million move from Burnley this summer. This season is a big one for Pope - like it will be for all England players - with the World Cup unfolding in the middle of the 2022/23 campaign and the 30-year-old knows he will need to be playing regular football to ensure he is on the plane with the Three Lions.
Pope's transfer from the relegated Clarets to the ambitious Magpies coincided with a strong statement from the agent of last season's number 1 Martin Dubravka, where it was underlined that the Slovakian is not here to play as a back-up to anybody.
It leaves Eddie Howe with a welcome selection headache but a situation he must manage carefully with the former Bournemouth boss knowing if he starts with Pope in August, a transfer request could be in the post from Dubravka.
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Yet Pope wanted to make it clear there were no demands during the discussions between himself and Howe. Pope told the Chronicle: "I don't think assurances are ever given to anyone.
"Some things get taken for granted in football. But it was always a case of 'earn your place' and that's something that breeds winning mentality and breeds that will to get better and want to improve.
"That is something that is evident in the squad already here with the characters that are here. The environment as far as the players that are here make it something that's great to be part of."
Pope, at 30, has been around the block a bit in football and knows that expectations in the game are high. Raised on a farm in Soham, Pope's early life was a little bit different to the intensity of city life in Newcastle.
From Monday to Sunday, the talk on Tyneside is about one thing, and one thing only many, and the mood is judged on Newcastle United's last result. Yet Pope has good early vibes about living here.
Pope said: "I've been watching football on TV for most days of my life, and playing games and football was a massive part of my family growing up and my life in general. So far I have been in Austria as many days as I have in Newcastle so I have a really good feel about the city. On the day of my medical, I was able to see some of the city and go around and get a good feel.
"My first week when we are back at home in Newcastle will be good to kind of get a feel for the place. I am looking forward to living my life here."
Pope has played at St James' Park in Burnley colours and knows what it is like to face the Gallowgate End in full flow. So how does he feel about having that backing behind him now?
Pope said: "What? Not hammering me! "But seriously having them behind me is something I am really looking forward to. I have played in night games, days games and the atmosphere at St James' Park has always been incredible.
"I think that's something that any player you'd want to be a part of, playing on the biggest stage as much as possible and having that level of support who are pulling in your direction is something that is rare really these days. So I am looking forward to experiencing and having them on my side."
Pope was a big Ipswich Town fan as a kid and had a season ticket at Portman Road. The 6ft 6in goalie was left heartbroken when he was released by the Tractor Boys in his youth career and drifted into non-league football before being signed by Charlton Athletic.
When asked about his big heroes he spoke of Town legend Richard Wright but also gave a huge mention to his big brother Josh, who played non-league for Mildenhall.
Pope added: "I followed my brother's footsteps a little bit, he's a goalie. The goalie I remember watching first was Richard Wright at Ipswich in the Premier League.
"Soon after that Petr Cech came to Chelsea and he was one around 2004/05 when he was keeping a clean sheet every week, they were two that I watched from a very young age. Richard Wright is coaching now at Man City but the first one I remember."
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