Odysseas Vlachodimos now with major opportunity at Newcastle United? | OneFootball

Have circumstances now landed Odysseas Vlachodimos with an unexpected opportunity at Newcastle United?

With Nick Pope currently sidelined through injury, Martin Dubravka has been between the sticks since Newcastle’s league win against Leicester City on the 14th December, the team having won the last seven fixtures with the Slovakian starting and putting in impressive performances.

However, the future of Dubravka very much in the balance, reportedly having agreed personal terms with Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab. Eddie Howe having admitted he isn’t sure what will happen this transfer window, as Dubravka set to be out of contract at the end of June and so far no extension agreed.

So is there now a big opportunity presenting itself for Greek international Odysseas Vlachodimos?

When Vlachdimos arrived in June there were immediate assumptions that Dubravka would depart in the summer and make way for the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper.

However, Dubravka stayed put and remained number two keeper.

Whilst the club officially have five senior goalkeepers in their ranks, with Mark Gillespie retained for another season and veteran keeper John Ruddy also arriving in the summer.

The Odysseas Vlachodimos signing was of course part of the flurry of activity that allowed both Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United to stay inside PSR limits before that latest three seasons 30 June 2024 deadline. Elliot Anderson sold for a reported £35m (as well as £33m Yankuba Minteh heading to Brighton).

Vlachodimos made only five competitive starts for Nottingham Forest during the 2023-24 season and fell to third choice behind Matt Turner and ironically Matz Sels, who played for Newcastle United under Rafa Benitez.

Having made over 151 appearances for Benfica prior to his time at the City Ground, Odysseas Vlachodimos played in the Champions League with the Portuguese club, as well as playing for VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga and Panathinaikos in the Greek Super League.

With a good pedigree and currently Greece’s number one, if given the opportunity there is no reason he can’t put pressure on Nick Pope for that starting jersey. More confident with his feet than the England international, he may give Newcastle a different dynamic when playing out from the back which Dubravka has done so well over the festive period.

Newcastle continue to be linked to James Trafford but signing the Burnley goalkeeper in this window looks unlikely. With summer 2025 appearing more realistic, if indeed Trafford is to end up at St James’ Park at all.

With the PSR situation, it would appear to be the case that if Newcastle United are to make any major signing(s) in this current window, then almost certainly you would imagine that would be in other areas of the pitch A right-sided forward and centre-forward are positions that need strengthening.

What is important though, is that Eddie Howe is comfortable with his current goalkeeper selection.

The club don’t want to find themselves in a position where a third choice goalkeeper with no game time under his belt is needed to play in potentially season-defining matches, as Loris Karius was in the 2023 Carabao Cup final.

With Bromley coming to St. James’ Park this weekend for the third round FA Cup tie, you would think this could be an ideal match for Odysseas Vlachodimos to get his chance and get vital extra experience of the first team match environment.