‘I can see why’ – Newcastle get transfer reassurance from AC Milan star

Newcastle United have freshened up their goalkeeping department with the signings of Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy and the pair will slot into a tight-knit dressing room

Newcastle United have once again put a ‘lot of emphasis’ on the character of signings this summer. Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy fit the bill in that regard.

Supporters might not necessarily have predicted the goalkeepers’ surprise arrival, but Bruno Lage, who is the only manager to have previously worked with the pair at Benfica and Wolves respectively, was not surprised that Newcastle turned to them.

“The scouts know everything,” the Portuguese told ChronicleLive. “That’s why it’s not a coincidence that they found this profile of men.

“They know exactly in this moment what kind of role they will have. If you have these things and the players agree to go, it’s because Newcastle want to find the best men to build a solid and healthy group.

“Ody is a calm guy. That’s the kind of player and man you want in your team. A good professional, a top player and a family guy. I never saw him complaining. I never saw any team-mates talking about him in a negative way.

“I will repeat myself because John is the same. He is also a top goalkeeper and a top man. I loved working with him and I said too many times in the past that he was very important for us in the dressing room to motivate his team-mates to do their best, especially before games. I heard him talking with the players a lot.”

It is rather telling that Howe has already referenced Ruddy’s ‘strong mentality’ while the Newcastle boss also highlighted how Vlachodimos is ‘very experienced at elite European and international level’ as the pair look to put painful seasons behind them. Ruddy, as captain, suffered the heartbreak of relegation with Birmingham City while Vlachodimos slipped behind both former Newcastle goalkeeper Matz Sels and Matt Turner in the pecking order at Nottingham Forest in his one and only underwhelming season at the City Ground.

Yet it is easy to forget that this is the same Vlachodimos who was once linked with a €60m move to Europe’s elite; who more than played his part as Benfica won league titles and twice reached the Champions League quarter-finals; who made 42 appearances for Greece…

Lage suggested Vlachodimos will ‘be more ready’ after learning a lot from a challenging first season in the Premier League and that view was shared by another figure who worked with the goalkeeper at Benfica that did not wish to be named.

“He’s 30 years old,” the source told ChronicleLive. “He’s a Greece national team player. He has the experience with many appearances in the Champions League, which is a very good level.

“I know the Premier League is the equivalent of playing the Champions League every weekend. It’s not like the Portuguese league, but I think he’s ready. Newcastle have good goalkeepers. It’s not easy for Ody, but he’s fit for that.”

Ruddy will certainly be ready. The former England international has vast experience in this country – playing 551 games to date – and will help set standards at the training ground.

Former Norwich City boss Paul Lambert told ChronicleLive that the 37-year-old was a ‘really good professional’ who will ‘bring a lot to Newcastle because of his experience’ and that view was shared by ex-Wolves goalkeeping coach Tony Roberts.

Roberts is now working at AC Milan, coaching France number one Mike Maignan among others, and previously recommended Ruddy to Arsenal when he worked for the Gunners before the pair later linked up at Wolves. The Welshman said Ruddy’s move to Newcastle was a ‘reward for what he has done over the last how many years day in, day out’.

“John is the ultimate professional,” he told ChronicleLive. “He pressed and pushed Jose Sa every day in training with his work ethic and his levels. He kept Jose on his toes and that’s why Jose had such a great first season when he joined Wolves.

“Just being around the squad, he’s a leader in the dressing room. Even though he was not playing, he was pushing the older players and the younger players. I can see why Newcastle have taken him because they have got somebody, if called upon, who has got the experience to deal with the pressure. I can’t speak highly enough of him.”