Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez could throw Freddie Woodman into the starting XI for his Premier League debut before the end of the season in a bid to get a clearer idea about his goalkeeping options, according to journalist Chris Waugh.
The Chronicle reporter claimed in a question and answer session on the newspaper’s website that the rarely seen 22-year-old, who has three FA Cup outings to his name this season, could take Martin Dubravka’s spot in the line up if the club’s Premier League status is secured, with Karl Darlow also said to be in with a shot as the manager looks to figure out who should be the understudy to the current first choice next season.
Woodman is yet to appear in the top flight and only has cup experience under his belt for the Magpies, although he was on the bench for 15 of the club’s league outings this season.
Opinion
This is a tricky decision for Benitez to make and he would be wise in taking whatever opportunities he can get to make it easier. Darlow is not a bad goalkeeper but lacks the composure, confidence and commanding personality that Dubravka has and so the former Nottingham Forest man needs to decide whether he would be happy sitting on the bench for a whole season. Woodman meanwhile is a promising young shot stopper who could do with getting game time under his belt to aid his development, but a loan exit does not seem to be on the cards unless Benitez brought in another goalkeeper. Out of the pair, the Toon Army would definitely rather see Woodman remain and Darlow shipped out and you can imagine that is the manager’s thinking right now. Still, the youngster is unproven in the Premier League and that is why these final stretch of fixtures could make or break his career at St James’ Park.