Darren Bent ‘surprised’ that ‘bigger clubs’ have not made move for ‘brilliant’ Everton star Jordan Pickford
Pundit Darren Bent is “surprised” that bigger clubs have not tried to make a move for Everton star Jordan Pickford.
The goalkeeper joined the Toffees from Sunderland in 2017, and has gone on to make over 250 appearances for the club.
Pickford currently sits joint-top of the Premier League clean sheets leaderboard this season with six, level with Manchester United’s Andre Onana.
“He’s been brilliant,” Bent said live on talkSPORT (19 December). “He’s been very, very good. He has had a really good season. He’s been someone who has been consistent for them.
“He looks comfortable where he’s at. I’m surprised maybe one or two other bigger clubs haven’t come in and said ‘we’ll take him’ but while he’s at Everton he’s an asset to them.”
Top player
There is no denying that Pickford is a top, top player, with the goalkeeper shining for club and country over recent years.
He has been at the top of his game for some time now, producing save after save for both Everton and England when it really matters.
There has certainly been talk of the Toffees number one leaving Goodison Park for pastures new in recent times, but he has remained loyal to the club, and is undoubtedly a fan favourite on Merseyside.
Should Everton continue fighting in the bottom half of the table, however, the goalkeeper may just seek an exit, particularly if his England place comes under threat.
But for the time being he is safe in Gareth Southgate’s starting XI, with the manager and Toffees boss Sean Dyche fully aware of just how important Pickford is between the sticks.
He certainly wouldn’t look out of place at a club higher up in the table, but Toffees fans will be desperate to avoid that scenario for quite some time.
In other Everton news, a BBC Sport journalist has shared a “hero to villain” verdict on one Toffees ace after their EFL Cup loss to Fulham.