talkSPORT pundit scoffs at Everton contract news for Jordan Pickford, touts Tottenham, Manchester United or Chelsea move
Jordan Pickford has chosen the “easy option” to extend his contract at Everton and should instead have ambitions to move to a Premier League rival, claims Alex Crook.
The Toffees keeper has agreed a long-awaited new deal [BBC Sport, 23 February] which is expected to be announced imminently.
But with the Toffees in a second consecutive fight against relegation the talkSPORT pundit has dismissed the decision, citing potential moves to Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United as better options with Everton now “perennial strugglers” in the Premier League.
Speaking live on talkSPORT on Thursday (23 February) Jim White said: “Jordan Pickford, many people love him, many people loathe him, and I think it’s fair to say that a lot of people think at times he’s his own worst enemy.
“Having said that, Everton’s Jordan Pickford, we hear, closing in on a new contract which will end any doubts over his long-term future at the football club.”
He asked Crook: “Is Everton the best place to commit himself long-term?”
“I’m not convinced to be honest,” the reporter replied, “You’re talking about a team in Everton who, for the second season in a row, are fighting a very real battle against relegation.
“So that tells me they are not there by fluke, they are now perhaps one of the perennial strugglers in the Premier League, and if you’re the England goalkeeper surely you should have grander ambitions than committing your future to a football club who are going to start next season fighting against relegation as well.
“Tottenham need a new goalkeeper to replace Hugo Lloris, Manchester United need competition for David de Gea, Chelsea are in the market for a new goalkeeper.
“Surely Jordan Pickford should have those kind of grand aspirations than taking the easy option and just committing himself to Everton, and another slug against possible relegation to the Championship.”
Commitment
That is one way of looking at things, but it is equally possible to celebrate Pickford’s loyalty to the club he became an England regular playing for, and his willingness to continue to battle in difficult circumstances.
Clearly it is no fluke that Everton are in the mire once again, and most supporters would point in the direction of the board room for an explanation.
Staying at the club despite the mismanagement from the top, the financial restraints, the turnover of managers, and the ever-present danger of relegation, is very much the opposite of the easy option.
Whatever the criticism levelled at Pickford, and there is usually plenty, he can’t be accused of shying away from pressure whether it be in an Everton shirt or an England one.
He produces the occasional mindless error, and unfortunately the Merseyside derby at Anfield seems to be a particular hotbed for them, but he equally wins points virtually single-handedly for the club, including against the same opponents earlier this season.
Ambition depends on perspective, and if his ambition is to restore the Toffees to being a club that operates at the other end of the table then his new contract should be praised, as the often-captain is doing the opposite of leaving what some perceive to be a sinking ship.
And if the revival under Sean Dyche continues then perhaps that process has already started.