Newcastle United owned Tim Krul hasn’t had a lot to smile about lately. Recovering from injury, Krul went out on loan to Ajax, with Rafael Benitez having other options for Newcastle, but the move didn’t work out well.
Krul couldn’t get into the team and in January decided that he needed to move elsewhere. With Krul flying over to England, Newcastle agreed a loan deal with Watford, but the goalkeeper became frustrated with an extended medical and called the switch off.
AZ then made a move, and again Newcastle agreed, this time it all worked out. However, Krul conceded 10 goals in his first three games for AZ, and then 8 in the next two, it wasn’t exactly going swimmingly.
But one match can change a lot and last night AZ got themselves a new hero. Krul not only kept a clean sheet in a cup semi final against Cambuur, but he was also victorious in the penalty shootout, winning the tie for his loan club.
This could be just the spur Krul needs and should AZ win the cup they’ll qualify for the group stages of the Europa League. That would free up some money and make a Krul permanent switch from Newcastle a likelier scenario.
Benitez currently has Karl Darlow, Matz Sels and Rob Elliot to call upon for Newcastle United.
