Martin Dubravka could be in the Saudi sun right now, picking up an eye-watering salary and spending his final years as a goalkeeper at a more relaxed pace. Instead, he is eyeing Wembley glory with Newcastle United after opting to stay put in January.
Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab were keen to sign the 36-year-old, with Eddie Howe pulling out all the stops to make sure he stayed put while Nick Pope was returning from a knee injury. Dubravka obliged and that decision has been justified by him keeping his goalkeeping counterpart out of the team now both are available for selection.
How things have changed for the Slovakian, who at one point faced scrutiny from sections of the supporters for leaving St James’ Park to play a bit-part role as David de Gea’s backup at Manchester United. That particular loan deal was cut short at Old Trafford, with Dubravka subsequently having to miss out to Loris Karius when Newcastlelast reached Wembley due to being cup tied.
The shot-stopper now calls that period of his career ‘a mess’ but is looking to right the wrongs of the 2023 Carabao Cup final – even though he ultimately picked up a winners’ medal – by inspiring the Magpies to victory when they face Liverpool in the competition’s finale next month.
“The feeling the two years ago was a bit strange; for me, it was a mess but now I’m there with the team, playing the games, and I can make some impact that can affect the games as well,” Dubravka told Newcastle’s official media channels after Wednesday’s win over Arsenal.
“So it’s completely different for me. I’m looking forward to it. It’s a special moment for everyone in the club. You can tell the fans are buzzing and I can tell that the boys now are ready to win it. We want to win it, we want to give it to the fans, to the club. After so many years it would be amazing.”
Dubravka is loved on Tyneside once again and may well keep Pope sidelined as the business end of the campaign approaches. The veteran ‘keeper has impressed since being thrust back into the team in December and is in line for a new contract, with his return coinciding with Newcastle’s significant upturn in form.
The feeling around St James’ Park and the club’s Benton base is clearly having an effect on Dubravka, who believes this current dressing room may be the best he’s ever been a part of.
“I just enjoy the matches – that’s the most important thing for me at the moment,” he continued. “Since I came back to the starting line-up, I’m enjoying every moment because I’ve been waiting a long time, and I’m just trying to make the most of it.
“If you can help the boys in any aspect, I will try to do it and I think the boys appreciated it yesterday, the same as I appreciated their blocks, their effort. We are in the same boat, we wanted the same thing. I have to say, I’ve had the chance to experience different environments and different dressing rooms but this is probably the best I’ve ever been in.
“I went through the transition; obviously we were at different stages under different owners, and everything was different. Now we are competing with the best teams, we are challenging and we want to win trophies. We are nearly there – so I hope that this time it will happen for us.”
Carabao Cup 2025 special edition
Newcastle United have reached Wembley again after reaching the final of the Carabao Cup. The showpiece game takes place on Sunday, March 16 and to celebrate, Newcastle Chronicle will be producing a print special edition. Costing £3.50, it will have interviews, analysis, opinion and news and will be on sale from March 5 in retailers while you can also pre-order online now.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-transfer-decision-justified-30959089
