Every word Jordan Pickford had to say ahead of Sunderland reunion with Everton
Everton star Jordan Pickford is set to come up against Sunderland for the first time on Monday evening.
Pickford came through Sunderland’s academy and made 35 appearances for the Black Cats before he moved to Merseyside.
Everton face the Black Cats on 3 November, with Pickford set to be between the sticks against his former club.
The Blues need a victory to get their campaign back on track and will hope that the occasion does not prove too overwhelming for the 31-year-old.
What has Pickford said about Sunderland return with Everton?
Everton’s last clash with Sunderland was a League Cup game in 2017, in which the Toffees were the victors.
That was before Pickford joined the Blues and the Mackems’ promotion to the top-flight means that Pickford will return to the Stadium of Light as an opposing player for the first time in his career.
Speaking to the BBC about the contest and his feelings on the return to his boyhood club, he admitted that he will find one particular thing weird about the homecoming.
He said: “I have always wanted to go back to Stadium of Light and to have this opportunity.
“With how well Sunderland have done to get back into the Premier League after a number of years.
“I’m praying I get a good reception, I think I will do, I think they know how passionate, how much of a Sunderland lad I am.
“So, it will take me back and it will be a bit weird to go down the stairs, I’ll make sure I am focused on doing it right.
“It will be weird, but I think for me and my family it will be amazing, and something for Arlo, is a great experience.
“Everton, Sunderland, England he says [who his son supports], so, hopefully might see him as a mascot.
“Yeah [I can enjoy it], we need to win for Everton but don’t worry, I won’t be celebrating when we score or win.”
Pickford has just signed a new Everton contract, who could be next?
The England number one has recently committed his future to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, signing a new deal that will keep him in L3.
Pickford signed until June 2029, meaning that he will be 35 years old by the time he is potentially a free agent again.
- Pickford has made 328 appearances for Everton
- He has 80 caps for the England national team
- The veteran goalkeeper is beloved by the Blues faithful
That could open the door for a sensational return to Wearside, or he may decide to stay with the Blues and retire as a Toffee.
Everton have several other players with their deals expiring shortly, and are believed to have already started talks with James Garner and Vitalii Mykolenko over new contracts.
They have already tied James Tarkowski down, as well as Pickford, so clearly the squad feel that David Moyes’ side are heading in the right direction.
They need to keep improving on and off the field, and keeping their key stars under contract will be crucial to that ambition.
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