Jordan Pickford will experience something for probably the first time in his career when Everton take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Everton return to Premier League action on Monday evening as they take on fourth-placed Sunderland in the North East.
The supercomputer expects Everton to beat Sunderland, which is pretty surprising given how the two sides have started the season.
Anyhow, it should be an exciting game of football between two sides with some of the most passionate supporters in the country.
Jordan Pickford will be eagerly anticipating the game in particular as he’s set to encounter a career first.
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Jordan Pickford set to be cheered by opposition supporters for first time in his career
Throughout his career, Pickford has often played the pantomime villain and is regularly jeered by opposition supporters.
The Everton shot-stopper clearly enjoys engaging with supporters, and it’s almost become a part of his game to keep concentrated in an unusual way.
But, on Monday evening, for probably the first time in his career, Pickford is set to be cheered by opposition fans.
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The 31-year-old is a huge Sunderland fan and came through the academy before making 35 appearances for the club.
His sale earned the club a whopping £30m in 2017, which was crucial cash for them during a difficult time.
It’ll be Pickford’s first-ever game playing against his boyhood club, so it could be quite emotional for him.
Jordan Pickford said it was a dream come true to play for Sunderland
Speaking in an interview with England’s match programme back in March 2018, Pickford admitted it was a dream come true to represent the Black Cats, even if it was only for a short period.
“I’d been with the club since I was eight and been a Sunderland fan my whole life, so it was just a dream to play for the club. That’s all I wanted to do, growing up.
“I made my debut away to Arsenal in the FA Cup (in January 2016) and I made my Premier League debut away to Spurs (the following week), but I just wanted to make my home debut really. That was the big one, walking out at the Stadium of Light and that came against Everton the following season.
“It didn’t end up well though, as we got beat 3-0. I only played 30-odd games for Sunderland in the end, because I had a couple of injuries and some time on the bench but it was one of the best things I’ve done.
“You only get one chance in life to do things and every chance you get, you have to take it and I just wanted to grab that chance with both hands and do my best. I would have loved to play more, but I got my chance and thankfully I took it.”
Come Monday evening, despite his love for Sunderland, Pickford will be fully focused on getting the three points for Everton.
But, we’re unlikely to see him winding up Sunderland supporters, that’s for sure.