Martin Dubravka, the Newcastle United goalkeeper we didn't know was needed at St James' Park
Seven years after his transfer to Newcastle United, Martin Dubravka is needed more than ever – as he showed in the club's stunning Carabao Cup win over Arsenal.
Seven years ago, few fans on Tyneside seemingly thought that Newcastle United needed a new goalkeeper.
The position just did not seem a priority for the club in the transfer market. Karl Darlow was performing well between the posts, and Rob Elliot was a capable deputy.
Yet then-manager Rafa Benitez had other ideas, and, on February 1, 2018, the club signed Martin Dubravka on a half-season loan from Sparta Prague.
Dubravka watched his first game as a Newcastle player – a 1-1 draw away to Crystal Palace – from the bench, and I interviewed him at Selhurst Park.
Dubravka spoke about a “huge opportunity” in front of him at the club, which was 14th in the Premier League at the time.
“It’s a big club, particularly in my own country,” said the Slovakia international. “I appreciate the opportunity, and I will try to do my best to stay. Hopefully, it will not just be a loan.
“I really hope I get to stay longer than six months.”
Dubravka showed exactly why Benitez had needed him when he starred in a 1-0 home win over Manchester United the following weekend.
And, seven years after signing for an initial six months, Dubravka – who joined on a permanent deal at the end of the 2017/18 season – is still going strong at Newcastle.
But for how long?
Tearful farewell?
An emotional Dubravka was the last player to leave the pitch after last night’s stunning 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final, first-leg win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The 35-year-old, out of contract at the end of the season, left the field in tears after applauding the club’s 6,000-strong travelling support amid talks with Al-Shabab over a move to Saudi Arabia.
Asked about Dubravka’s future after the match, Eddie Howe said: "I know nothing, genuinely. I’ve been head down into the game so I’m sure I’ll speak to Paul (Mitchell, Newcastle’s sporting director) at some stage."
Howe, without injured first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope, added that he did not want to lose Dubravka – who has starred in the club’s extraordinary seven-game league and cup winning run – this month.
Newcastle have only conceded two goals during that run, and Dubravka was again there when his team needed him on a momentous night at the Emirates Stadium, a ground where they had only previously won once.
At the other end, goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon edged the club closer to Wembley.
Pope, incidentally, was suspended two years ago when Howe’s side reached the Carabao Cup final, but Dubravka was unable to step in as he had played for loan club Manchester United in the competition earlier in the season.
Loan move
The warmth felt for Dubravka in the freezing cold away end at Arsenal was in contrast to the frostier reaction to his decision to head to Old Trafford in September 2022.
Dubravka’s motivation, however, was understandable from a player’s point of view. Howe has signed Pope from Burnley that summer, and he knew he would no longer be first-choice goalkeeper at Newcastle.
The move did not work out, and I revealed that Dubravka – who did not make a Premier League appearance for his loan club – was set for a mid-season recall to Tyneside.
Dubravka ended that season in goal away to Chelsea after Pope had finger surgery, and he made a series of important saves as the club finished fourth and qualified for Champions League football.
In the post-match mixed zone, I asked him about the reaction of supporters to his move to Old Trafford.
"Some fans might look at me going to Manchester United – and not understand why,” said Dubravka. “They don't see my situation from my perspective.
"I was just trying to find a position where I could play. Any of them who would be in my position, they would probably make the same decision.
"In the last few months, I have been back at my home club, and I always feel very welcome here. The fans are incredible."
There was also speculation over his future at the time.
However, Dubravka added: "If you want to ask me, I’m not desperate to leave the club. I’m very attached to this club.”
Dubravka, clearly, is even more attached to the club two-and-a-half years on, and, whatever happens over the coming days, will be remembered fondly by a fanbase which has all but forgotten and forgiven his short spell at Old Trafford.
PSR dilemma
Of course, because by the pressures of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, he could be sold before his contract expires.
Howe summed the bizarre situation up before the Arsenal tie.
“The business logic is taking over from the football logic,” said United’s head coach. “There may be football decisions you'd like to make.
"Nothing was bigger than the previous summer when we had to lose two highly promising young players (Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh). We were forced to, we had no choice.
“That’s very much the business taking over from the football. I think we’re still in that position."
What is clear is that almost seven years after he showed us why Benitez had signed him, Dubravka is needed more than ever by the club.