Sky Sports pundit expects Jordan Pickford to leave Everton if club are relegated despite new contract
Michael Dawson still expects Jordan Pickford to leave Everton if they are relegated this season, despite signing a new contract this week.
The England number one signed a new four-and-a-half year deal with the Toffees this week, putting an end to speculation surrounding his future at the club amid reported interest from Tottenham and Manchester United.
But speaking on Soccer Saturday live on Sky Sports (14:16), pundit Dawson feels that a team would swoop in for Pickford should they go down and he would leave, but thinks Sean Dyche will keep them up.
“No I’m not surprised Jeff,” he said, responding to Jeff Stelling’s question. “18 months left on his contract, it worked for both parties. He’d have had a big pay-rise, he’s number one there, he’s England’s number one.
“And if the worst did happen, someone would come and buy him and he would leave Everton.
“But he doesn’t see that happening and he’s happy where he is playing his football and playing well. And with Sean Dyche coming in I don’t see them getting relegated.
“It sends a great message out to show that our number one, important for the football club, is staying.”
Loyalty
There is a great sign of loyalty from Pickford by signing a new deal in the situation that we’re currently in, but we’re not stupid.
As the England number one, relegation would see his status for the national team come into question and he is far too good to be playing in the second division.
But the whole point is that he believes he can help up get out of this hole and get back to being in the Premier League as a mainstay rather than battling every year, so the new deal isn’t a short-term thing.
He will be at Everton next season because Everton will be in the Premier League, that’s his mindset and that should be the mindset of everyone involved with the club too.
Should the worst happen, he has secured us a big transfer fee by signing a new deal and the fans would not begrudge him that move. But it won’t happen, because Dyche has finally got this team ticking and we’re going up the table.