For the ninth season in a row, Jordan Pickford will be Everton’s undisputed number one.
The 31-year-old has been a rare oasis of stability in otherwise turbulent years for the Toffees – highlighted by his three successive Player of the Year awards between 2021 and 2024.
Last season, he finished first in goalkeeper player rating (7.24), Man of the Match awards among goalkeepers, goals prevented (6.2), and penalty save percentage (100%). He also ranked second in overall Man of the Match awards (eight), third in clean sheets (12), and third in save percentage (73.5%).
Without him, Everton would have been relegated. It’s that simple.
So, what’s different this year? Well, with Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia departing on free transfers, David Moyes was in the market for back-ups.
First through the door was Republic of Ireland international Mark Travers from Bournemouth for a fee of around £4m.
The 26-year-old has made just 24 top-flight appearances for the Cherries – including Everton’s famous final-day win to avoid the drop in 2023. However, he was a regular during their Championship promotion campaign in 2021–22 and also had two loan spells in the second tier with Stoke and Middlesbrough.
He also has four caps for Ireland, so he is not without experience.
Travers had a mixed pre-season – making several impressive saves against Blackburn before committing a horrendous error against West Ham in Chicago.
It means Pickford’s place isn’t under threat any time soon, but Travers is a more experienced deputy than the departing Virgínia.
Moyes completed his stable of goalkeepers by bringing in Tom King from Wolves. The 30-year-old has spent most of his career in the lower divisions, making just one substitute appearance in the Premier League. He also earned a single cap for Wales against Gibraltar in 2024.
King is unlikely to feature for Everton unless there is a serious injury crisis, so his arrival is more for his influence off the pitch and around the training ground.
Harry Tryer remains on the books and is contracted until 2026, but it remains to be seen whether he will stay at the club beyond the transfer deadline.
The 23-year-old has had successful loan spells at Chester, Chesterfield, and Blackpool in recent seasons, so may well find a permanent club in the lower leagues before the end of the month.