Former Newcastle United striker Michael Owen says Nick Pope has had an exceptional season with the Magpies, but former teammate David De Gea would not find himself in the top five goalkeepers this season. Pope has played an instrumental part in the Toon's rise to prominence, helping shape one of the best defences in the Premier League.
The Magpies shot stopper has kept 14 clean sheets in 37 top flight appearances as Eddie Howe's side booked their place the Champions League for next season. Only champions Manchester City have a better defensive record than Newcastle this season, a stark sign of just how far the Toon have come under Howe's managerial tenure.
"There are a few set in stone (who make the Team of The Season, like Haaland)," Owen told the Premier League. "Whereas I think you could have, quite justifiably say, let's go for the goalkeeper, for example.
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"There are probably four or five goalkeepers that you could go for. Funnily enough, I probably wouldn't put David de Gea in my top five this season. Ederson is on my bench.
"I think Alisson at Liverpool has been very good indeed. There have been lots of good goalkeepers.
"But I do think that Nick Pope has been exceptional this season. And, as you say, one of the best defensive records in the Premier League."