Ewen Jaouen: Why are Newcastle signing a ‘giant’ from Ligue 2?

It is high praise, but there was a reason why Jaouen was monitored by clubs across Europe last season.

Not since Mendy has a goalkeeper kept as many clean sheets in a single league campaign (15) for Stade de Reims.

Jaouen still requires a lot of work, but the France Under-21s international appears to have all the raw attributes to develop further.

He is 6ft 6in tall, proactive in his box, decent with his feet, can produce a big save and has a lot of room for improvement in key areas.

Lollichon, who remains in touch with Jaouen’s camp, even likens his profile to when he first saw Courtois at the age of 17.

Rather than throwing him straight in, though, which would be “a little bit dangerous”, Lollichon suggests Newcastle will look to protect the “giant” at first.

“I think the objective of Newcastle is for him to observe the new level in his first season,” he said.

“Ewen was a number one in Ligue 2 last season, but the Premier League is the top. The intensity, the quality of the players, is a big change but Ewen has this ability to observe and adapt very quickly.

“He’s very professional. He’s not a guy who speaks all the time – he’s very discreet. What I’m saying is a little bit old-fashioned, but he needs to feel love around him.”