Nick Pope

[Lush Vlad]

Staying put for this season at least, so I am told.  

 

[The Butcher]

Trafford would probably learn quite a bit from Pope if they get a season together.

 

Trafford as cup keeper/ reserve until Pope's shoulder goes would be ideal.

[Zero]

Why would Trafford agree to join if we dont guarantee him the starting place?

[SteV]

Just now, Zero said:

Why would Trafford agree to join if we dont guarantee him the starting place?

Presumably because he has enough self—confidence to think he’ll earn it without having to be guaranteed it.

[wyn davies]

Personally flog Pope whilst we can get reasonable money, often been stated on here , we don't capitalise when we should.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

No brainer to keep Pope with Trafford for me, if he’s happy to stay. Ideal situation to have a young class keeper and an experienced player like Pope to help him. One of the best pairs in the league. 
 

Also makes the Trafford transfer even better for me. If we can keep both. 

 

 

Edited July 8, 2025 by AyeDubbleYoo

[Dr Venkman]

The sensible move is to keep Pope for now and move him on at the end of 25/26 or maybe in January if Trafford's doing really well and there's a good offer on the table.

[Chicken Dancer]

I'd sooner shift Dubravka to Saudi for about £5m than consider selling Pope. Trafford looks like he will be a good Premier League goalkeeper - perhaps even great - but for now Pope is a good Premier League goalkeeper.

 

Pope should be our #1 for (the start of?) 25/26 unless something changes. I'm fairly certain Trafford will know he won't be #1 initially, but with the intention of him being first-choice for many years. He's 22, basically a toddler in the life of a keeper. He could be our #1 for 13 years +

[SUPERTOON]

Would like to keep Pope, unless the offer was a really good one.

[PauloGeordio]

Think Popey stays and Dubz is away. Trafford incoming.

[Bunk Moreland]

1 minute ago, PauloGeordio said:

Dubz is away

 

For £10m to Saudi hopefully 

[PauloGeordio]

Just now, Bunk Moreland said:

 

For £10m to Saudi hopefully 

International keeper. Why not 🤞🏻

[Elliottman]

3 minutes ago, PauloGeordio said:

Think Popey stays and Dubz is away. Trafford incoming.

Is the right answer. Would be madness to throw Trafford straight in and sell Pope regardless of how highly he’s rated. Pope is a sure thing, Trafford might need a bit of time. 

[wyn davies]

Dubs did really well for us when Pope was out, as I suggested sell Pope , use Dubs until Trafford gets his act together should he arrive.

[gjohnson]

9 minutes ago, Bunk Moreland said:

 

For £10m to Saudi hopefully 

Cos it would be £30m if he was playing for anyone else lol

[PRL]

3 minutes ago, wyn davies said:

Dubs did really well for us when Pope was out, as I suggested sell Pope , use Dubs until Trafford gets his act together should he arrive.

He’ll be rattling towards 37 years old when the season starts. He did have a decent run when Pope was out, but there’s no way I’d want to be relying on him as number 1 at the start of a PL and UCL season. It would also create immense pressure on Trafford as if he didn’t perform then we wouldn’t have a genuine number 1 to take the reins. I’d be very happy with Pope and Trafford starting as 1 and 2 next season 

[PauloGeordio]

7 minutes ago, PRL said:

He’ll be rattling towards 37 years old when the season starts. He did have a decent run when Pope was out, but there’s no way I’d want to be relying on him as number 1 at the start of a PL and UCL season. It would also create immense pressure on Trafford as if he didn’t perform then we wouldn’t have a genuine number 1 to take the reins. I’d be very happy with Pope and Trafford starting as 1 and 2 next season 

I’m sure that’s Eddie’s wish too! 

[Abacus]

I suppose the one thing about Dubravka is that he does have better distribution with his feet. If that's the thing about Trafford that attracts us, then the only thing there is maybe it's an easier transition to make from one to the other in terms of team shape. 

 

But despite saying that, still reckon Pope and Trafford has to be the way to go as Pope is an all round better keeper than Dubravka and his sweeping skills also allow the defence to get forward in a different way.

[r0cafella]

His contract is up in 12 months. We have to shit or get off the pot. We can't afford to lose players for free. 

[The College Dropout]

1 hour ago, Chicken Dancer said:

I still think that when we sign Trafford, Pope will be first choice. Certainly in the early period of the season anyway.

Knowing Eddie - Trafford will be a couple ropey performances from visiting the bench even if he does start.  
 

If I’m Pope I reckon I could keep Trafford on the bench for atleast 1 season in the main.  
 

That could mean nights at Camp Nou and going to the World Cup. Joining Leeds would shelve all of that. 
 

If the club get a good offer they would try and force him out mind.  Not Howe but someone else with the authority I can seee that happening. 

[The College Dropout]

9 minutes ago, r0cafella said:

His contract is up in 12 months. We have to shit or get off the pot. We can't afford to lose players for free. 

Pope doesn’t seem the type. But it also makes him more likely to reject a move. 
 

A year on the bench he’s still a great pickup for a lot of teams in the division and might get a bump in salary or at least a better sign on fee. 
 

He’s only going to be one injury or a couple bad performances away from starting too. James Trafford is still young for a GK. 

 

 

Edited July 8, 2025 by The College Dropout

[SteV]

What’s a good offer for a 33yo with 1 year left? £5m? Less?

[TheInfiniteOdyssey]

8 minutes ago, r0cafella said:

His contract is up in 12 months. We have to shit or get off the pot. We can't afford to lose players for free. 

It’s a good point and although I think Pope is a brilliant keeper, it makes sense to do a deal if Trafford is brought in.

 

Think the most frustrating thing of the whole goalkeeping situation is that Vlach isn’t even trusted enough to be a backup. 

[r0cafella]

1 minute ago, SteV said:

What’s a good offer for a 33yo with 1 year left? £5m? Less?

Wed need more than that. Keepers can usually go longer. Would want at least 10 he's a quality keeper and too good to sit on the bench. 

[nufcjmc]

A couple of million for dubs and wages off the books for the Greek fella or goodness knows a loan fee and would be happy for Pope as backup issue is would he be happy potentially being a backup if Trafford comes and then performs well.