United to cool interest in Pickford – good sign for Everton
For his occasional faults, Jordan Pickford has been one of the best signings Everton have made in recent times.
The England international goalkeeper has been consistent for Everton in the two and a bit years he has been on Merseyside, adequately filling the spot left by Tim Howard as the Toffees’ long-term goalkeeper.
Unfortunately, which such quantity of high level performances, opposition interest is a natural accompaniment. Several elite clubs have been said to have been monitoring the former Sunderland man, and this summer was no exception.
According to Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic (via 101 Goals), Manchester United were monitoring both Pickford and Atletico Madrid ‘keeper Jan Oblak this summer, in case David de Gea would not commit to a new contract.
The Spaniard is out of contract next summer and can sign a pre-contract arrangement in January, meaning United are keen to tie him down as soon as possible.
According to fresh reports, the Spain international is on the brink of putting pen to paper on new terms. This likely means United will end their interest in Pickford, which is positive for Everton.
Read Everton Verdict
With Pickford it very much feels like Everton will have to contend with transfer speculation over his long-term future until the day in which he begins to drastically decline, how ever far away that may be.
Still so young with so much talent and so much promise, Pickford will always be a player that other clubs monitor, so Everton need to do their best to keep him. That comes from winning silverware, and competing with the English elite.
The Toffees can expect to keep their best if they aren’t at that next level, and hopefully as a collective the players can soon achieve that level on a consistent basis.