Carlo Ancelotti must look to rival Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope this summer, in order to land “top-class” competition for Everton’s Jordan Pickford.
Pope has emerged as a potential option for the Premier League big-hitters to target whenever the next transfer window opens, with reports by the Daily Star claiming Jose Mourinho is looking to replace Hugo Lloris while Frank Lampard wrestles with what to do with the world’s most-expensive shot-stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The two London sides going toe-to-toe with each other over Pope would be a challenging race to enter, but it is one battle Ancelotti should look to take on as the 27-year-old has the ability to rival Pickford for the’ number one jersey and could easily displace his compatriot at Goodison Park.
Pickford has often not been without errors once again this season, and has the ability to leave fans fearful when the opponent is bearing down on our goal. Pope, on the other hand, has been lauded for the abilities he has shown at Turf Moor.
“Popey is a top-class goalkeeper,” former England ‘keeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider. “All top clubs carry two very strong number one stroke twos. I do not think Spurs should look to replace Hugo but they need to bring in some strong competition for him and Popey fits that bill.
“Popey is one of the best. He is an excellent shot-stopper and very good at crosses. The only thing that lets him down at times is his kicking but I know he is working very hard on that with Billy Murphy – the [Burnley] goalkeeping coach. He is not shy of working hard and has a great attitude.”
Everton have not had two very strong number one stroke twos in years, with Maarten Stekelenburg currently Pickford’s back-up after Jonas Lossl returned to Huddersfield on loan.
Stekelenburg has not featured in the Premier League for us since May 2017, though, while Pickford has defended the goal line in our past 105 straight top-flight fixtures, in which he has conceded 150 goals to 30 clean sheets.
Pope, meanwhile, has been the last line of Burnley’s defence for their last 29 straight league games following a long-term shoulder injury, in which the £35,000-per-week ace has kept 11 shut outs to the 40 goals allowed.
Pope’s 11 clean sheets is the most in the top-flight this season, while data collected from Premier League matches by Sofa Score also show the Clarets star as having recorded the sixth-most saves (89) to Pickford’s 75 (12th-most).
Of Pope’s saves, 56 have come from shots faced inside his own box, while also making 33 high claims, five punches and a league-high 15/16 successful runs out.
If Everton are to move up the table, we will need a strong number two at the club that will push Pickford, or even replace him should the former Sunderland man fail to reach a higher standard.
In other Everton news, Marcel Brands making moves to sign a 2-cap defender this summer seem unlikely following claims the 27-year-old would be an ideal target.