Everton want Joel Robles back amid Leeds United exit confirmation Monday as Asmir Begovic signs for QPR – Sky Sports pundit
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Everton interest in bringing Joel Robles back to the club is based on replacing Asmir Begovic and shouldn’t signify any alarm around Jordan Pickford, says Kevin Campbell.
The Athletic reported on 12 June that the former Toffees number one had been offered a new deal at Leeds United but was being eyed for a return to Goodison, and the 33-year-old Spaniard has now confirmed he will not be returning to Elland Road in a post on his personal Twitter account Monday (17 July).
Bosnian international Begovic confirmed himself as a QPR player the same day having rejected a contract extension at Goodison Park, and despite speculation this summer over the man ahead of him Campbell doesn’t think it would have been Robles targeted if Pickford had gone anywhere.
“I think that’ll be a Begovic replacement if I’m honest,” the Sky Sports pundit exclusively told Goodison News of the Robles interest.
“Most of these teams operate with three goalkeepers, and I think if Pickford were to look to go they’d be really hell-bent on trying to get a number one in.”
The England number one has confirmed his own intention to remain the starter at Everton, which has lifted one huge question mark from the goalkeeper’s room for Sean Dyche.
Andy Lonergan may have signed his extension unlike Begovic [BBC Sport, 6 July] but it would be a risk not to replace the latter and carry a full compliment of options.
Robles replaced Illan Meslier for the final four Premier League games of the campaign at Leeds under former Toffees boss Sam Allardyce but was unable to prevent relegation, and while he wouldn’t be expected to add too many to his 65 Everton appearances behind Pickford he appears a decent bet to return as the reserve.
In other Everton news, a member of the Premier League 100 club could be set for Goodison Park as a pundit believes his club now “have to offload” him.