Joao Virginia joined Reading on a season-long loan to get regular playing time, but his move hasn’t gone to plan.
The 19-year-old has struggled for consistency between the sticks and has spent the majority of the season on the bench after being dropped. Virginia started Reading’s first two Championship games before Rafael replaced him.
José Manuel Gomes gave Virginia a run-out in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, but the teenager greatly underperformed as Reading bowed out of the competition – penalty-shootout defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers after being 1-1 in extra time.
https://twitter.com/benturrrner/status/1176937740576985089?s=20
Joao Virginia is confusing. He was great for us at u23 level, just as good for Everton, but he’s been awful for Reading.
I know the difference between youth football & senior football is significant but it’s like he’s a completely different goalkeeper. Maybe a confidence issue? https://t.co/tpQR3fImAg
— Dan Critchlow (@afcDW) September 25, 2019
Hi @Everton do you want Joao Virginia back? #readingfc
— Matt (@m2120b) September 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/ROYALS46087449/status/1176938197126975490?s=20
The state of Joao Virginia this loan spell is going to ruin him
— Richard Lloyd (@Richlloyd1984) September 25, 2019
Joao Virginia having a shocking time at reading 😖
— Louis ➐ ➐ ➐ (@Louis1878EFC) September 25, 2019
Marco Silva insisted the Portuguese u21 international would be wasted in Everton’s u23 side, but Virginia hasn’t managed to prove his worth with first-team football. In three appearances for Reading, he’s already conceded six goals – as much as Rafael has shipped in twice the amount of time.
Jordan Pickford is first-choice for Everton, Jonas Lossl is second and Maarten Stekelenburg is third in the pecking order. Virginia would be reduced to reserve-team football if he returned to Merseyside, but he isn’t getting much from his stint at Reading either.
The 19-year-old has been an unused substitute in the Royals’ last six Championship matches and continues to leak goals when he does feature.