Everton goalkeeper shares Jordan Pickford influence after new Toffees contract
Everton goalkeeper Billy Crellin has shared how Jordan Pickford, among other Toffees shot-stoppers, has helped him get “miles better”.
As quoted by the Liverpool Echo (20 September), the 23-year-old pointed to Everton goalkeepers Andy Lonergan, Joao Virginia and former Toffee Asmir Begovic as key influences on his game and development.
After signing a new contract extension keeping him at Goodison Park until 2025, he singled out Pickford specifically as a regular source of advice in his journey to make his senior Everton debut.
Crellin said: “I’ve loved every minute at Everton. Training with Jordan, Loners [Andy Lonergan], Joao [Virginia] this year, and Bego [Asmir Begovic] last year. I’ve developed a lot as a keeper. I’m miles better than I was 18 months ago.
“I try to develop as much as I can to be the best goalkeeper I can be. I’ve picked up little things off Jordan, Asmir, and Loners because they’ve played so many games between them. I’ve developed in every area, with those one per cents that make you better.
“I pick up a lot of things off Jordan and watch how he handles certain situations, which hopefully, one day I’ll be in, and I’ll know what to do. I speak to him all the time about little things and he’s helpful.”
Influence
Everton have been blessed with experienced goalkeepers in the last few seasons, making ideal ground for Crellin’s development.
Pickford – a mainstay at Goodison Park for the last six seasons – would be the ideal man to help guide the young shot-stopper as he bids to crack the first team in the coming seasons.
Crellin has not had the greatest start to the season, having conceded seven goals in two games in the Premier League 2 for the Toffees’ youth set-up, but regular appearances for the England under-20s in 2019 show his potential.
He faced off against Doncaster Rovers in their EFL Trophy clash on Tuesday and despite the 2-0 loss made a number of good saves across the 90 minutes.
In terms of progression, he may have to wait a while. Pickford is unlikely to leave the club any time soon, relegation-dependant, but unless he blossoms on a loan in January, it is hard to see how he can displace England’s number one.
Crellin claimed he has improved significantly in recent times, but will have to do something special to make Sean Dyche consider him for regular minutes.
However, if he continues to pick up tidbits and lessons from the likes of Pickford, it will set him up in good stead to eventually emerge as a quality goalkeeper. Everton would not have renewed his contract if they did not see some value in him, so fans will have to wait for what the future holds for Crellin.
In other Everton news, journalist Paul Brown has claimed Sean Dyche does not trust one of his defenders.