Credit: Imago

Declan Carr

Sun 5 April 2026 19:10, UK

Mark Travers’ frustration is surely growing at Everton, considering his lack of game time so far.

The Irish goalkeeper was signed in the summer from AFC Bournemouth for a fee of around £4million.

However, he has made just two appearances for the Toffees, as he has been unable to dislodge Jordan Pickford from his starting spot.

The 26-year-old will surely not want to spend a huge portion of his career warming the bench, which he will do under David Moyes.

Everton may have a decision to make in the near future, if Travers starts to show that he is unhappy with his role.

What is Travers’ contract situation at Everton?

Travers is set to stay at Everton for a considerable while, if he fulfils the deal that he agreed to when he joined the Hill Dickinson Stadium side.

He signed a four-year contract when he signed for the Blues, which is set to run until 30 June 2029, providing that he stays put.

He could, of course, seek an exit, if he is not satisfied, but it will be more difficult than if he had signed a shorter contract.

How does he feel about it?

Travers seems to understand that Pickford is ahead in the pecking order and be happy with the situation for now.

Speaking after he joined in July, he said: “Jordan has been very good.

“He’s had a really good stint at Everton, and the amount of games he’s played and the level for both club and country has been very high.

“So, it will be great to work alongside him. I’m coming in here to push and compete with him, and everyone wants to be on the pitch and everyone has that ambition.”

Why might that be the wrong attitude

Some goalkeepers would be happy to sit on the bench for a club of the size of Everton, but given Travers’ international ambitions, that may not suffice for him.

He has tough competition to expand on his five caps for the Ireland national team, with Brentford’s Caoimhin Kelleher and Luton Town’s Josh Keeley also in the most recent squad for the penalty shootout loss to Czech Republic and the draw with North Macedonia.

It is unlikely that his situation at club level will change anytime soon, as Pickford is contracted until the same time as him, so his chance of playing for his country may be reduced.

Kelleher is starring in the Premier League with the Bees, while Keeley is also performing well in League One, so the longer Travers is in the wilderness, it will harm his hopes even more.