Is sweeper keeper Hornicek a step change for Magpies?

[Getty Images] Does the arrival of two goalkeepers at Newcastle this summer mean the end for Nick Pope? If so, he has been a fantastic servant, but for some the writing has been on the wall for sometime. Earlier this week, fans on this page said the 34-year-old's "days were always coming to an end" after "many blunders and bad judgement". A criticism has been his tendency for erratic interventions outside of his penalty area. Notable instances have been a red card received against Liverpool for handling way outside the box, him being left stranded to concede a goal against Marseille in the Champions League, and bringing down Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres towards the end of last season. In October 2024, a Newcastle fan described him on these pages as a "calamity waiting to happen". In June 2023, a year after the England international's arrival from Burnley, former Magpies defender John Anderson said Pope was an "absolutely phenomenal" goalkeeper but who "just doesn't look comfortable" playing out from the back and is "not happy" with the ball at his feet. Lukas Hornicek, signed earlier this week for £25.7m from Benfica, is expected to be new head coach Mattias Jaissle's new number one, with the highly-rated 20-year-old Ewen Jaouen signed from Reims earmarked as an exciting prospect. Despite his towering 6 ft 6in frame, 24-year-old Hornicek's ability as a 'sweeper keeper' is one of his valuable attributes. As shown in the graphic above, he is happy to exit his penalty area. Only five goalkeepers in Europe's top 10 leagues last season recorded more keeper sweepings than Hornicek (45). The Czech Republic international cleaned up on all 45 occasions, meaning his 100% success rate is only bettered by Barcelona's Joan Garcia (52/52). Such data points to clear decision making when tricky moments occur around the penalty box. In the Primera Liga, Opta data shows Hornicek ranked second for successful passes (846) and fourth for passing accuracy (75%) of goalkeepers in Portugal's top-flight last season. A new number one was a priority for Newcastle this summer and, with an enforced squad rebuild after the departure of Eddie Howe and several key players, a change in goalkeeping style at St James' Park is also very much on the cards.