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Newcastle’s Freddie Woodman impressing on and off the pitch in South Korea

7 years ago
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Newcastle United goalkeeper Freddie Woodman is surely the club’s best young prospect, along with Adam Armstrong.

The two 20 year olds will be aiming to help England through to the last eight of the Under 20s World Cup later today.

England face Costa Rica in the last 16 knockout tie with kick-off at 12 noon (UK time).

The Young Lions won their group, Freddie Woodman keeping clean sheets as England defeated Argentina 3-0 and hosts South Korea 1-0, Woodman sitting out the 1-1 draw with Guinea when Manchester United’s Dean Henderson was given a game.

The young Newcastle keeper got rave reviews for his time at Kilmarnock on loan in the second half of last season and it will be interesting to see at what level Rafa Benitez tries to place Freddie Woodman on loan next season.

Already having been previously included in the England Under 21 squad, Woodman surely has every chance of making it with both Newcastle and his country.

The great thing as well, is that whenever Woodman speaks, he shows the same maturity off the pitch as he does on it.

Talking about the World Cup in South Korea, the keeper is happy to say how lucky he feels to get such opportunities to both play in top tournaments and visit such amazing places, such as South Korea.

I always remember watching TV coverage of the senior World Cup when it was held in South Africa, Robbie Savage was asked how he was enjoying his time when not covering matches.

I cringed with embarrassment for thick as a whale sandwich Robbie Savage, when he said it was such a tedious place and he just stayed in his hotel room most of the time, bored to tears.

Quite unbelievable, a halfwit like Savage gets paid fortunes by ourselves (viewing public) to do such a poor job AND then he is so thick that he can’t even appreciate what a wonderful country such as SOuth Africa has to offer.

A bit of a detour there…but good luck to Freddie Woodman & Adam Armstrong today, great to have promising Newcastle players representing England so well.

Freddie Woodman talking to official FA site:

“Being here is what football is about.

“I love playing football, just getting out there on the grass with a ball and playing. And to do it with these lads, it’s a dream.

“We get to visit amazing countries, meet new people, experience different cultures – it’s a great learning experience for young players.

“We go on pre-match walks so we get to meet the locals, it’s been amazing and we want to stay here for as long as possible.

“There was a cracking atmosphere at Friday’s match (England beat hosts South Korea 1-0). It was amazing and that’s a credit to the Korean people for the noise they were able to make.

“We have just got out of the group but we have to look forward and try to keep progressing.

“I know the quality we have in the team and we want to go as far as we can.

“Our group was probably one of the toughest.

The football has been of a very high standard and I think the teams that have gone through from our group could go a long way in the tournament.”

“It’s healthy competition (Reading’s Luke Southwood and Manchester United’s Dean Henderson).

“We have three very good goalkeepers and are all pushing for a place to start.

“We respect each other and know that if we keep pushing each other that will probably help us in the long-term as well.

“We’re learning on a daily basis.”

***England team just confirmed v Costa Rica – Freddie Woodman starts and Adam Armstrong is on the bench.

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