Jordan Pickford has been rewarded for his superb recent form with a new six-year contract at Everton.
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The England international goalkeeper, 24, signed his new deal on Wednesday as the former Sunderland star was named Player of the Season at Goodison Park in his debut campaign with the Toffees in 2017-18.
Pickford took his fine form in the Premier League with him to Russia over the summer as he starred for England in their run to the 2018 World Cup semifinals.
Speaking about his new deal, Pickford was delighted to commit his future to Marco Silva‘s team.
“When I made the move last year I thought Everton would be a great club to come to and the right step in my career,” Pickford said. “Getting the opportunity to become England’s No. 1 was down to being at Everton, I believe, and being able to put in solid performances week in and week out. Coming to Everton, a massive club with a massive history and seeing how passionate and determined the fans are, it’s inspired me to perform week in and week out and it’s moved my career on, without question. I want to play as many games as I can for the club, that’s my goal now.”
Pickford was pretty busy last season under Ronald Koeman and then Sam Allardyce and it is safe to say he was the best signing Everton made in the summer of 2017 as they spent big but drew plenty of blanks with other new additions.
His shot-stopping ability and presence in the box is undoubted and his penchant for starting attacks with his pinpoint passing is also a key reason why he was linked with a move to the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United over the summer.
Instead he has remained at Everton and much like Harry Maguire at Leicester and Kieran Trippier at Tottenham, his stock and confidence levels have gone through the roof after a fine World Cup. His performances against Colombia and Sweden in the knockout rounds were key to the Three Lions advancing to the final four.
Other than David De Gea, Hugo Lloris, Ederson and Alisson, can you name a better goalkeeper in the Premier League than Pickford? I’ll wait.
