Joao Virgnia will soon leave Everton as a free agent after a five-year-long stint at Goodison Park.
During this period, the goalkeeper played only five times for the Toffees’ first team and was never realistically going to get much game time unless Jordan Pickford suffered a bad injury.
With an exit from Everton now on the way, the 25-year-old spoke to Italian outlet [Diretta](https://www.diretta.it/news/calcio-premier-league-esclusiva-joao-virginia-i-friedkin-motivati-ma-io-ho-bisogno-di-giocare-la-roma-se-va-via-svilar/dzzHn9q2/) about his time on Merseyside and his plans for the future.
Virginia made it clear that he would not be against the idea of playing outside of England.
_“I don’t have a preference. I would like to play at a good level. I have some options coming up, surely in the summer there will be many more opportunities. But I don’t feel tied to one place. Spain, Portugal, even Italy, would be a great experience for me.”_
He also stated that he now wants to join a club where he is a permanent fixture in the starting eleven, feeling he’s done with being a back-up.
_“The last two years I have been number two behind Jordan (Pickford), and it is very difficult to dislodge him, because he has had really good seasons. I worked hard to try to earn a place, but it was difficult._
_“Often you have to wait for an opportunity, an injury or a suspension. You play the cups, you do your best. I think I have done a great job. But now it is time to go and play. I feel I have to do it. I am at an age where I need to play, I don’t want to be number two forever.”_
The goalkeeper was also specifically asked about the Friedkin takeover at Everton and said he believes they’ll steer the club in the right direction.
_“As soon as they bought the club, they came to the training ground and introduced themselves to everyone. It was the first time we saw them. They seemed motivated to change and improve the club. They want to invest. It’s only been a few months, but I think Everton is going in the right direction.”_
When asked whether he could replace Mile Svilar at AS Roma and play under the Friedkins again, Virginia said: _“Who knows? Svilar had an extraordinary season. I follow him a lot. We played against each other many times when we were young. He was at Benfica when I left. Roma would be a great option, it’s a great club. But now there’s Svilar, and we’re talking about a great goalkeeper.”_
The ex-Arsenal academy graduate is still young for a goalkeeper and having picked up some experience at Everton he’ll feel he can now shine elsewhere. That’s the key for the stopper, and he’s made clear he’ll pick his next destination based on his prominence.