Ex-Charlton keeper hailed as ‘best in the world’ by Newcastle team-mate

Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes has hailed team-mate Nick Pope as the best in the world in his position.

Pope has kept 16 clean sheets in all competitions for Eddie Howe’s side this season, with only Leyton Orient’s Lawrence Vigouroux [17] keeping more clean sheets of keepers in the top four divisions.

Charlton signed Pope from Bury Town in July 2011. He made 38 appearances during his time in SE7.

The now 30-year-old left The Valley for Burnley after Charlton were relegated to League One in 2016.

Pope was included in the England squad for the 2022 Qatar World Cup and has played every game in the Premier League this season for the Magpies.

The former Welling United loanee has now kept six clean sheets in a row in the top flight.

Thomas Sandgaard confirmed to our paper that Charlton received a decent sum of money as part of a sell-on clause included in the original sale to Burnley once Pope completed his £10million switch to Newcastle in the summer.

Guimaraes signed for Newcastle last winter in a £40million move from Lyon.

After Newcastle’s 1-0 semi-final first-leg EFL Cup win away at Southampton, the Brazilian midfielder said to SkySports: “I’d like to say thank you to Nick Pope – he has been brilliant for us. He is the best goalkeeper in the world.“