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'Massive' - Sky Sports pundit reacts as Everton want to sign 3x Player of the Year award winner

David Moyes

(Credit: Imago)

Pranav Shahaney

Thu 12 June 2025 16:10, UK

Everton are reportedly keen on strengthening their goalkeeping department and bringing in solid backup for Jordan Pickford.

The Merseyside outfit have been linked with Sheffield United goalkeeper Michael Cooper.

Zan-Luk Leban has bid farewell to Everton after spending six years at the club and Joao Virginia is also leaving.

Virginia’s Everton contract runs out this month. (Credit: Imago)

Lee Hendrie reacts as Cooper on the Toffees’ radar this summer

Lee Hendrie has lauded Cooper amid the Sheffield United stopper’s links to Everton.

He believes that it would be a huge blow for the Blades if they lose out on his services this summer.

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The former Aston Villa midfielder does see sense in the Toffees pursuing him as they want a backup for Pickford.

Stat (Championship 24/25) Michael Cooper

Appearances 43

Clean sheets 21

Goals conceded 33

Cooper is on the back of an impressive campaign.

Hendrie believes that the 25-year-old is destined for better things and deserves to be playing Premier League football.

The Sky Sports pundit told Football League World (12 June): “Michael Cooper at Sheffield United has had a great season. I really think that he’s had a brilliant season. For him, obviously looking at Everton taking him as backup for Jordan Pickford, it would be a massive blow if Sheffield United lost him.

“I think he’s going to go on to bigger and better things, and the Premier League is definitely his standard. He is a very, very good goalkeeper. So yes, it would be a massive blow for the Blades if they lost him. It would be difficult to replace someone with his quality.”

Jordan Pickford is the undisputed Everton number one. (Credit: Imago)

Everton should launch a bid to sign Cooper

Everton should prioritise signing Cooper as Pickford’s backup due to his proven quality and the club’s urgent need for a reliable deputy goalkeeper.

At 25, he was a standout performer for Sheffield United in the 2024/25 Championship season, securing 21 clean sheets in 43 appearances, earning him the Blades’ Player of the Season award.

He even won the award twice with Plymouth – the club where he came up the ranks to become a first-team star.

With Everton’s current backups set to depart, Cooper’s experience and potential make him an ideal candidate to challenge Pickford and ensure depth in a critical position.

His £2million transfer from Plymouth last summer demonstrates his value, but potential interest from other sides necessitates swift action.

Launching a bid soon signals Everton’s intent, strengthens their position in negotiations and prevents losing Cooper to rivals, securing a long-term asset for their goalkeeping department.

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