The England number one is in advanced talks over a new contract with Everton
Jordan Pickford applauds the Blues fans after Everton's win over Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by Mike Morese/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Jordan Pickford applauds the Blues fans after Everton's win over Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by Mike Morese/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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Jordan Pickford is expected to put pen to paper on a new Everton deal this week.
Talks over a new deal began last month, with the club keen to tie down one of their most important players as he approached the final two years of his current agreement. The England number one was keen to extend his commitment to the Blues and discussions are now well advanced.
Addressing the contract situations of key players has been a priority for the club since the end of a transformative summer transfer window in which nine players were signed ahead of the opening season at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Securing the long-term future of Pickford was considered a key issue by both manager David Moyes and owners the Friedkin Group. Moyes viewed the protecting defensive axis of Pickford and centre backs James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite as critical to his summer squad-building exercise.
That meant fending off interest in starlet Branthwaite, whose decision to sign a five-year deal in July was viewed as an important success. Tarkowski, whose contract had entered its final 12 months, signed a two-year deal last week.
Talks with Pickford were launched last month and, as the ECHO reported at the time, the player was open to extending his stay on Merseyside. Signed from Sunderland in 2017, the 31-year-old has made the north west his home and his commitment to Everton has never been in question, despite his success with the national team.
Pickford has been crucial to England’s run to the finals of two European Championships and the later stages of the past two World Cups. He appears to have convinced Thomas Tuchel of his value, retaining his spot as number one since the appointment of the former Chelsea manager.
While his performances on the international stage have drawn interest and speculation over his Everton career, Pickford has remained loyal. He is understood to be grateful to the club for giving him the chance to further his career after Sunderland’s relegation from the Premier League and resulting turmoil, viewing the Blues as having provided him with the platform to achieve the success he has with England.
In turn, he has played a bigger role on the pitch than any other player through Everton’s recent years of crisis. Big saves at crucial moments saved the club from relegation under Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche while he has often excelled in major fixtures, such as recent Merseyside derbies, and whilst subject to intense criticism from the likes of Newcastle United supporters, who continue to target him due to his Sunderland links.
His influence has been repeatedly recognised by managers and supporters. He captained Everton for the first time under Lampard, a show of faith in his maturity that meant a lot to him, while his decision to sign his current deal just weeks after the appointment of Dyche and with the club in chaos was a significant boost at a tough time for Everton.
The emergence of a new terrace song dedicated to him in the final weeks of last season also brought delight. His love affair with Everton and Merseyside now looks set to continue beyond a decade with Pickford expected to sign a new deal when he returns to Finch Farm from international duty.