Everton should have signed Ben Foster months ago as journalist makes suggestion
Everton are now desperately scratching for a new goalkeeper after an injury suffered by number one choice Jordan Pickford this week.
The England international has been ruled out until after the international break with a thigh injury to leave just Asmir Begovic as a fit shot-stopper at Goodison Park.
Billy Crellin could come in as a backup but he has not played much senior football so far in his career and Frank Lampard would seemingly prefer to bring in a new face on a free transfer.
The Liverpool Echo’s Chris Beesley has suggested a handful of names that could be available and viable for Everton including former Aston Villa bench warmer Orjan Nyland after he trained at Finch Farm as an 18-year-old in 2006.
Keiren Westwood is another name mentioned having left Sheffield Wednesday but the most likely suggestion would be ex-Watford number one Ben Foster.
A former England international himself, the 39-year-old was the Hornets’ choice between the sticks last season but he couldn’t prevent them from being relegated to the Championship despite his best efforts.
But while it is all well and good trying to sign Foster now, he should have been one of the first new arrivals of the summer along with James Tarkowski.
Not only would that have allowed Begovic to be signed by Manchester United in what would have been a robbery of a transfer, but his vast experience and unhateable personality in the dressing room would have been a source of constant comfort for so many.
He also usurps Begovic and subsequently Andy Lonergan, who is also injured, in terms of pure ability and would have given Pickford a much bigger challenge to keep his place in the team.
It is now a race against time to sign somebody on the off chance that Begovic also gets injured or suspended and leaves Everton in the mud ahead of a very busy schedule of games.