Everton seal move for goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic on short-term contract
Everton have announced the signing of goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic on Tuesday via the club’s Twitter page, following an injury crisis at Goodison Park.
The 37-year-old has agreed to a short-term deal with Jordan Pickford and Andy Lonergan both facing spells on the sidelines.
It’s thought Jakupovic will provide cover for Everton goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and will feature on the bench for the Toffees this weekend against West Ham.
This may not be the name Everton wanted when rumours started swirling that Frank Lampard was looking for another goalkeeper to bolster his injury-ridden squad.
Free agent Ben Foster, who left Watford this summer was the man fans may have been hoping for, nevertheless, it seems Everton opted against any such move for the free agent.
Pickford is pivotal
Pickford picked up an injury in Everton’s draw at home to Liverpool in the Merseyside derby; a game where the England international showed his worth to Frank Lampard’s side.
The shot-stopper was vital in Everton gaining points from the game and his last-ditch save to deny Roberto Firmino reaffirmed his importance to the Toffees.
He is even pivotal to moving the ball forward for Frank Lampard’s side; a priceless attribute he demonstrated all too well against Nottingham Forest.
Pickford’s precise long-ball to Demari Gray was arguably the pass of the season so far and set up the forward to calmly slot home an equaliser.
England boss Gareth Southgate will also be nervously waiting to see the extent of the 28-year-old’s injury with the World Cup just two months away.
Everton will need their star goalkeeper back sooner rather than later, his importance to the team has never been more critical than now.