According to Italian publication, TuttoMercato, Chelsea are set to launch a bid of around 50 million euros for Everton and England number one Jordan Pickford. As somebody who has watched the 26-year-old week-in and week out, I would say they have to consider selling the ‘keeper.
Not convincing at all
When Everton signed Jordan Pickford from Sunderland in 2017 for £30million he was considered a bright up-and-coming shot-stopper. Playing in a dire Black Cats team, he had plenty of practice at stopping shots too.
While shot-stopping is the biggest weapon in his armoury, other aspects of his game remain highly unconvincing. His ability to command his area is one of the big negatives against him. At 6.1ft, he is not short, but he is relatively short for a goalkeeper. This has led to problems for him in commanding his area.
The former Sunderland goalkeeper offers very little confidence to the players in front of him. Good goalkeepers are cool and calm in general. The defence knows they can rely on the last line of defence.
However, Pickford seems to be a larger than life character, a ball full of energy at times. This is not a bad thing if he is doing his job properly. He seems hyper and highly prone to making mistakes. While he is only human, and we all make mistakes, the frequency of his mistakes has seemingly increased in the past year or so.
Chelsea already have their own unconvincing Kepa
Now talking about unconvincing ‘keepers, Chelsea already have their own big-money unconvincing goalkeeper on their books in Spaniard Kepa Arrizabalaga. The 25-year-old arrived from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 for a world-record fee for a goalkeeper of around £71.6million.
Again, like Pickford, when he arrived he was highly regarded. However, in his two seasons, he has struggled to convince that he is the right man to fill the number one spot at the capital club. He has made some big errors and has looked like he has lacked confidence at times.
He even lost his starting role to veteran Argentinian goalkeeper Willy Caballero before the enforced break. Kepa did show signs of improvement before lockdown after he earned his starting spot back.
Many younger foreign players struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League. His struggles have been compared to those of Manchester United’s David De Gea when he first arrived in England. Whether he can turn things around like his compatriot only time will tell.
Chelsea have a problem if he does not, as he is one of the top earners at the club. Therefore, his new club would not only have to pay a big fee but also his wages too. A season on loan elsewhere could be the answer, but if it is abroad it will not help him settle into English football.
A strange one for Chelsea
From an Everton perspective, it would be good business to sell Pickford, but only if they have a replacement lined up. There are many far more reliable goalkeepers out there than the England number one, who has lost his way on Merseyside.
It remains to be seen if there is any truth to the story of the goalkeeper joining Chelsea in the next window. If there is any truth to the story, then it makes absolutely no sense from their perspective.
Jordan Pickford no doubt has potential. However, arguably Kepa has a higher ceiling to improve. The fact that most Evertonian’s would gladly allow Pickford to leave for the mooted fee tells its own story.
Is Jordan Pickford a transfer target for Chelsea?
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
