Everton take unneeded risk on George Pickford as deal cut short early
Everton have recalled young goalkeeper George Pickford from his loan at non-league side Southport.
Pickford expressed his excitement at signing a new Everton deal until the summer of 2028 before joining the National League North side earlier this month on loan for the rest of the season.
Pickford told Everton‘s website on 13 February: “I’m excited. “It’s going to be a good experience for me to keep training [with the Men’s Team] and have more years at the Club.
“My development has come on a lot over the past few years, especially from training with the first-team lads and getting more confidence when I’m with them. They help me a lot when I’m up there and it gives me a little boost to keep going.”
However, after playing just three games for Southport, Liverpool Echo state he has been recalled to Hill Dickinson Stadium due to back-up Everton stopper Mark Travers‘ finger injury.
George Pickford may yet get second loan chance
Prior to Everton’s 1-0 loss at home to Manchester United on Monday, manager David Moyes delivered a team news update.
The Scot revealed how midfielder Carlos Alcaraz is out injured, as is Manchester City loanee Jack Grealish. The aforementioned report adds that keeper Travers and defender Jake O’Brien are also currently unavailable.
Moyes said last Friday: “We’ve got near enough a fully fit squad with the exception of Jack Grealish and, unfortunately, Charly Alcaraz picked up an injury in training yesterday which has ruled him out.”
Indeed, all four missed the United defeat, and as Everton assess Travers’ injury, the teenage Pickford is back at the Premier League side.
While Tom King is now their second-choice option, Everton have recalled Pickford, even though he was getting regular and valuable first-team action.
The Echo adds there is “hope” Pickford – who trained with the Premier League side at Finch Farm during his loan spell – will be able to return to Southport if Travers’ recovery allows Moyes to sanction his departure.
While training at Everton will help Pickford, the best thing for a player’s development is to play first-team senior football.
That is why this is an unneeded risk on Everton’s behalf, with the youngster now likely to be sat twiddling his thumbs.
George Pickford learning a lot from England and Everton’s number one
Pickford has played 22 times for Everton’s under-21s this season, picking up six clean sheets in Premier League 2 – the most in the division.
He is not related to England and Everton number Jordan Pickford, but the Toffees may have two talented keepers on their hands.
And the teenager admitted it was a dream to rub shoulders with the 31-year-old, who has been at the club for the best part of a decade now.
He said: “It’s unbelievable to train with him, especially when you watch him when he plays for the first team and you see how good he is.
“But you see all the stuff you don’t see in games – and how much he helps you, too. I’m only 19, and he’s always there to improve you and help you as much as he can. He’ll always give the right advice, and I’ll always take it on board.”
It remains to be seen if the younger Pickford will stay at Everton for the foreseeable future or head back out on loan to Southport, who are 17th in the league.
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