Everton ace Jordan Pickford on par with title-chasing Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale as stats emerge
Everton are certainly not having their best Premier League campaign, but there are a few individuals who can hold their heads high despite the struggles.
Midfielder Amadou Onana has been impressing in midfield and is reportedly catching the eye of several top clubs, while a handful of others have turned a corner since the appointment of Sean Dyche in the dugout.
But enjoying a strong campaign since the very first whistle is Jordan Pickford, who has kept the Toffees from sliding further down the proceedings this season.
The Everton shot-stopper may not be near the likes of title-chasing Aaron Ramsdale when it comes to clean sheets, with the former on six and the latter on 12, according to the official Premier League website.
But Pickford is doing his best to keep up with Ramsdale in other areas, with the Toffees number one boasting more ball recoveries than the Gunners goalkeeper, at 233 and 205 respectively, according to WhoScored.
Moreover, Pickford has made two key passes compared to Ramsdale’s zero, with the Everton ace currently on a higher WhoScored rating (6.73) than the Arsenal man (6.69).
Ramsdale won’t be focusing too heavily on such statistics as his Arsenal side chase an elusive title, with the shot-stopper enjoying a superb campaign in between the sticks under Mikel Arteta.
The Toffees meanwhile are struggling at the opposite end of the table to the league leaders, with Dyche’s men currently sitting in 17th place in what is a fierce battle for Premier League safety.
Pickford does, however, seemingly remain Gareth Southgate’s number one choice for the England national team, with Ramsdale still waiting in the wings for his opportunity despite the stark difference in their current club standings.
If the Toffees do go down, Pickford could well find himself in a very similar position to Ramsdale, who was remarkably relegated twice – with Bournemouth and Sheffield United – before being snapped up by the Gunners.
Despite the criticism surrounding the signature, he has gone on to help Arsenal push for the title, with many top clubs reportedly eyeing a similar future for Pickford.
The likes of Manchester United and Tottenham have been linked with the Everton ace in recent times, with a summer move to the latter expected to suit “all parties” according to talkSPORT.
Both Pickford and Ramsdale will have mammoth roles to play for their respective clubs from now until the end of the campaign, with the former trying to stop his team from getting relegated as the latter tries to drive his team to the Premier League title.