Nick Pope
Goalkeeper
Nick Pope is yet another player who’s Euro 2024 hopes have been stunted by injuries. In 2023, he picked up a shoulder injury while playing for Newcastle United that has seen him sidelined for 22 games so far. As a result, he has not featured in a single qualifying match for this summer's tournament. He has still not returned to playing football, and it is unclear if he will be fully recovered by the time the Euros begin. Even if he is able to recover, it is unlikely that he will be chosen after his nearly six month hiatus. Pope’s injury is especially tragic because we think that if he had remained healthy, he would not only easily make the squad but might have even challenged Pickford for the starting position. Pope is good at stopping shots with his hands, but is even better at using his feet. This makes him a very reliable keeper in 1v1 situations, which is one of the most exciting things to watch as a fan. He has demonstrated his abilities as a keeper time and time again in the Premier League with both Burnley and Newcastle. During the 2022/23 season, Pope was a vital part of Newcaste’s Premier League Campaign in which they had one of the best defenses in the league. At the end of the season, Newcastle qualified for the Champions League by finishing 4th place partially due to Pope’s efforts. The English team will certainly miss Pope’s contributions during the 2024 Euros, so hopefully he is able to quickly heal and return to the team soon.
