Jordan Pickford will face decision between club and country if Everton are relegated this season
Despite signing a new contract at Everton and pledging his colours to the Merseyside club for another four-and-a-half-years, Jordan Pickford’s loyalty could be put to the test if the club get relegated from the Premier League.
The Toffees shot-stopper penned a new deal that does not include any exit clauses, but he could be put in a position where he has to put his club or country first, with Euro 2024 quickly appearing on the horizon. [Paul Joyce, 23 February]
During Everton’s 4-0 defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday (1 March), Pickford would only have been too well aware of the differing fortunes he and his England number one competitor Aaron Ramsdale were going through.
The Gunners keeper sees his side currently sitting top of the Premier League and very much in with a chance of scooping up their first Premier League title since the The Invincibles in 2003. A trophy of that magnitude won’t look bad on a CV when vying for a spot between the sticks under Gareth Southgate, and should be a cause for concern for Pickford.
Newcastle’s Nick Pope, meanwhile, is in the form of his life this season on Tyneside and has piled even more pressure on Pickford for the tag of England’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Although they are in the steady hands of Sean Dyche, if Everton were to be relegated this term – however unthinkable that might be – the 28-year-old might be forced to reconsider his decision to stay at Goodison Park he made just a week ago.
If Pickford were resigned to playing Championship football next season, he would stand next to no chance of reclaiming his England number one jersey, despite starring in this role over the last three major competitions.
Southgate simply couldn’t be justified in picking a player who is playing in the English second division on a weekly basis when placed up against two goalkeepers who could both be playing Champions League football next season.
If Everton’s plight continues over the coming months, Pickford will be faced with the biggest question of his career to date.
Club or country?