According to The Times, Jordan Pickford’s position as Everton’s first-choice goalkeeper is under threat. The 26-year-old has been in poor form over the last 12 months and could be taken out of the spotlight by Carlo Ancelotti. It’s unlikely Joao Virginia or Jonas Lossl will replace him, but The Times say Sergio Romero may be signed to compete for a starting place.
Pickford decline
Last season, Pickford faced 426 shots in 38 Premier League games (11.2 per game), conceding 56 goals (1 per 7.6 shots) and keeping nine clean sheets (23.6% of our league games).
Of the 426 shots faced, 145 were on target (34%) and the England international saved 94 of them (64.8%). Pickford’s post-shot expected goals was 48.7 in 2019/20, but he shipped another 7.3 goals come June.
The statistics show he’s conceding more goals than expected and has been guilty of making high-profile errors, so it’s not surprising that Pickford’s future is being speculated about.
No internal solution?
Despite Virginia being handed a four-year deal and Lossl expecting to challenge Pickford’s position this summer, The Times don’t believe Ancelotti is considering an internal solution to his goalkeeping woes. Lossl would probably get the boot if we have a fourth shot-stopper on the books.
Romero has been on our radar for some time, but it looked like Aston Villa had beaten us to his signature weeks ago so talk cooled. The 33-year-old is still at Manchester United, however, and doesn’t have a future at Old Trafford so he’ll be granted a move before the transfer window shuts.
He’s made 61 appearances in all competitions since joining United from Sampdoria in 2015, conceding 27 goals and keeping 39 clean sheets. Romero finds himself behind David De Gea and Dean Henderson in the pecking order, so he should jump at the chance to get regular football at Everton.
Summary
We’re yet to hold talks with United over a deal, but The Times say we’ve had contact with intermediaries to discuss a transfer. Romero is open to joining Everton and would be an improvement on our existing options, but things are still at an early stage.
Ancelotti recently said he isn’t in the market for another goalkeeper, so time will tell if anything happens with Romero.