Pundit Frank McAvennie has backed Jordan Pickford to leave Everton next summer if he is able to replicate the same form he has shown for England at Euro 2020.
Everton coach Alan Kelly – who has been confirmed to be kept on by Rafa Benitez as the club’s goalkeeping coach – recently hailed the shot-stopper as ‘faultless’ for his heroics in the competition.
He played a crucial part in the Three Lions’ run to the final, keeping the highest number of clean sheets for any goalkeeper in the tournament and saved two penalties in the final’s penalty shootout.
Having worked on his mentality as a professional, Everton fans have enjoyed a steady rise in confidence and commendable performances from the start of the year, McAvennie was left baffled by the erraticism of the past.
However, the former West Ham and Celtic man has claimed that if Pickford continues his consistency, then he could find himself as the subject of a major move to one of the Manchester-based giants of the Premier League.
Speaking to Football Insider, the pundit claimed:
“He seems to step up for England,” the Scottish former footballer observed.
“He’s made quite a few mistakes at Everton but for some reason when he’s with England he’s a different beast.
“It’s a strange one. He’s brilliant for England so he’ll be hoping to carry that into the season with Everton.
“Everyone loves him after what he did this summer and he’ll want to feel like that while playing for Everton.
“He needs a strong season. Keep it tight, no mistakes, that’s a big thing. We’ll see what happens.
“I think those mistakes are stopping him from making that step up to a Man United or Man City.”
Read Everton Verdict
Many Everton fans may be rolling their eyes at a lazy assumption that Pickford remains error-prone and clumsy between the posts – though he is equally not impeccable.
The 162-appearance Everton man has certainly given a strong account of himself over the summer however, and Everton will be praying he can continue to impress.
With Robin Olsen having returned to parent club AS Roma, there is a lack of obvious competition for Pickford – something that Everton could address in the transfer market.
