- Pickford arrived from relegated Sunderland carrying big expectations
- Nine years later he remains England’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper
- His development represents one of Everton’s modern success stories
When Jordan Pickford arrived at Everton in the summer of 2017, there was no shortage of expectation.
The Blues had agreed a deal worth up to £30m for a keeper who had just suffered relegation with Sunderland. It was a significant fee at the time and one that attracted some scrutiny from Evertonians. Understandably so.
Pickford was highly rated, but he was largely viewed as a promising young goalkeeper rather than a future England long-term number one.
Nearly a decade later, that debate feels like a long time ago. Was a long time ago.
As England prepare to begin another World Cup campaign in North America, Pickford remains. literally, the first name on the teamsheet. He has started every major tournament match for his country since the 2018 World Cup and has become one of the most trusted figures in the side.
For Everton, there should be some satisfaction in that journey. They/we all played a part.
Everton saw the potential
The circumstances surrounding Pickford’s arrival weren’t straightforward.
Sunderland had endured a miserable campaign and relegation often raises questions about every player involved. Yet Everton looked beyond the league table and focused on the qualities that had already made Pickford one of the country’s most highly rated young keepers.
The decision has aged well.
While many signings have come and gone since 2017, Pickford has remained a constant. Managers have changed, ownership uncertainty has come and gone, and Everton have spent several seasons fighting battles they would rather have avoided.
Through it all, Pickford has rarely let his standards slip.
England’s number one
International football is often unforgiving for goalkeepers.
One mistake can change perception overnight. Sustaining a place for years is difficult.
Yet Pickford has done exactly that.
He helped England reach the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, played a key role in runs to the finals of Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, and arrives at World Cup 2026 as one of the most experienced players in Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
What once looked like potential has turned into prolonged consistency… with the odd wobble.
That reliability has been just as important for Everton as it has for England.
One of Everton’s better decisions
Everton’s recent history has featured its fair share of recruitment mistakes and expensive lessons.
That is partly why the Pickford story stands out.
The club identified a talented young goalkeeper, invested heavily in him and watched him develop into one of the best. The type of transfer every club hopes to make.
As England prep to begin another World Cup campaign, Pickford is one of the main men, for Moyes and for Tuchel.
He heads to North America as England’s established number one and one of the Premier League’s most respected keepers.
For Everton supporters, his journey is also a reminder that amid the turbulence of the past decade, the club occasionally gets things right. In Pickford’s case, very right indeed.
