Season › 2016-17 › News Jordan Pickford: What they say about Everton's new £30m 'keeper Lyndon Lloyd Thursday, 15 June, 2017 19comments | Jump to most recent Jordan Pickford became the most expensive British goalkeeper in history and the third priciest in his position in the world behind Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon and new Manchester City signing Ederson when he completed a potential £30m move from Sunderland Everton today. The eye-watering sum will form a sizeable chunk of the Blues' transfer budget this summer but as an investment in a player who could be between the sticks at Goodison Park (and the docks beyond!) for the next decade or more, it could represent a very savyy move. That certainly seems to be echoed by a number of observers, former Everton stars, journalists and Sunderland fans alike, who believe that if the 23-year-old fulfills his rich potential, then the £25m rising to £30m could ultimately prove to be a bargain given the importance of the ‘keeper role. “Jordan Pickford was always going to be leaving this summer, so we can at least take heart from the fact he's going to a fantastic club.” Article continues below video content His talent is so incredibly varied, and like no other 'keeper in the Premier League he is able to distribute the ball in a way that you simply cannot coach. He's a leader; he's got drive and passion in abundance, character traits that compliment his sublime technical ability perfectly. My only regret regarding Pickford's time at the club is that we weren't able to see more of him - with just one season between the sticks for our first team, fragmented by an injury mid-way through our last campaign, it's safe to say that Jordan Pickford's best years are ahead of him and it's a damn shame that we won't be able to see what he is fully capable of in a Sunderland shirt. Roker Report “I think if we sign Pickford we have a bargain. What price saving 12 points a season? Potential to go all the way to world level. Neville Southall Genuinely no idea right now what = a good/bad fee. Until market settles, can only look at the player. And Pickford is perfect for Everton. Jonathan Northcroft, Sunday Times “Just to echo what many are saying: 1st time saw Jordan Pickford at PNE was obviously a class act. Will be a terrific signing for Everton.” Richard Askam, BBC Sport “Everton, value Pickford as an already a superb goalkeeper who could join the elite in the coming years. "Everton seems to be the perfect place for the player himself to develop… At an excellent, family club, Pickford would start the season as number one, far from certain at the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United. "Away from the ferocious pressure of the top six, he should have the space to develop his game, to build on the already impressive command of his area and shot-stopping. "To refine the rough edges of his unique and at times breathtaking distribution, the speed and trajectory with which he can kick out of hand sure to become one of the Premier League's most impressive counter-attacking weapons. "Everton get a special talent, already good enough to make his mark and with potentially fifteen excellent seasons to come.” Phil Smith, Sunderland Echo “Such is the unprecedented nature of today's money-go-round that it is hard to compare the £30m Everton have agreed to pay Sunderland for goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with transfer fees from previous years, but it is certainly a gamble. “I think it's a good move from Everton, though, and shows they are willing to spend. “Every top team needs a great goalkeeper and if my old side want to progress they needed to address that position. “Everton need a strong start to the campaign and he will have to hit the ground running, but my hunch is that he will prove a worthwhile gamble.” Trevor Steven "For someone like Jordan, who is young and has great potential, it does not seem a great fee. "In the big scheme of things it is not a lot of money, considering how important the goalkeeping position is. "It is second to a striker who scores 20 goals a season. You cannot have a really good side without a good goalkeeper." Peter Shilton "The success or failure of a football team can be massively dependent on its goalkeeper. Goalkeepers are crucial to a team's success, and their value should reflect that importance. "Goalkeepers aren't expected to just keep goal, they are expected to control the ball safely and securely with their feet and distribute it accurately. "And in that respect Pickford is regarded as outstanding — 'Our only player who can pass a ball,' posted one fan to a Sunderland message board in March. "The rest of Pickford's game may still be developing. And how many points he saves - or costs - Everton every season is still to be discovered. "But £30m is not a transfer fee to cause concern." David Prentice, Liverpool Echo “Jordan has been amazing and he has great potential. I have been singing his praises since the first time I saw him. “He is one of the best goalkeepers I have seen in my career." Jermaine Defoe, ex-Sunderland striker Reader Comments (19) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Ben Howard 1 Posted 15/06/2017 at 18:47:47 Of course time will tell but I think and hope this will be a very shrewd signing. It might take a couple of seasons to really see the best of him but he's here now and he could have 15 years ahead of him! I'll take Big Nev's assessment on him over anybody else's and I really look forward to this distribution that everybody speaks about.Imagine a Peter Schmeichel-esque counter-attack with some speed in the team... exciting. Mike Gaynes 2 Posted 15/06/2017 at 19:15:44 I take particular note of the comment about his leadership.Several observers have made the same comment about Klaassen. Another need that Koeman seems to be addressing with his choices. David Price 3 Posted 15/06/2017 at 19:44:35 Outstanding signing. Match winner. Si Turner 4 Posted 15/06/2017 at 20:17:17 Spot on, Mike (#2) – we haven't had enough characters since the Moyes era. We have been too nice for at least 4 years so I look forward to seeing the passion and fight return once again. Dermot Byrne 5 Posted 15/06/2017 at 20:24:27 Leadership is so needed in our team and has been missing for too long. A couple of strong leaders will improve others. John Smith 6 Posted 15/06/2017 at 20:33:26 Big Nev approves. Good enough for me. Trevor Lynes 7 Posted 15/06/2017 at 20:43:19 Big Rom may have been glad to have Pickford supplying the ball to him. Steve Ferns 8 Posted 15/06/2017 at 20:50:51 So, only positive words from the experts then. That's reassuring.I have tried to find some detailed analysis of him from an old pro, but I cannot find it. I recall a Tim Flowers type giving like a scout report for one of the broadsheet's websites, and really raving about him. It was similar to the one that highlighted deficiencies within the game of Joe Hart with him said to struggle to get down low to one side in particular.It's a problem of football reporting in this country that we don't quite get the analysis of football the way they do on the continent. Especially in the televisual media. With Sky having the majority rights of the Premier League, I fail to understand why they don't have a Premier League channel, and round the clock shows dissecting every game the way they do in Italy.Even on the internet, especially since the end of zonalmarking.net and the Everton focused copy (the executioner's bong) there is little such analysis available on the net.It's a pity ToffeeWeb couldn't fill that void! Paul Mackie 9 Posted 15/06/2017 at 21:07:33 If he's good enough for Neville Southall, he's good enough for me. Kase Chow 10 Posted 15/06/2017 at 21:22:10 Seems determined and likes to make a save, so that's all great.Also, it's good to do a bit of business early.What I like about this signing is that he's already very very good and not at his peak This could be excellent business! Andy Meighan 11 Posted 15/06/2017 at 21:51:24 If the likes of the greatest cat in our history and Shilts himself are waxing lyrical, it can only be good news. Since I've been watching football, there's only been I'd say 7 or 8 outstanding keepers in that time: Southall [obviously], Clemence, Banks, Shilton, Schmeichel, Jennings, Bonetti and De Gea... other than them, I'm struggling. If he's half as good as any of those, we've got a keeper. Oh and before anyone mentions the likes of Yashin, Meier etc, I just meant domestically. Oh by the way – apologies to Gordon West and Nigel Martyn. Paul Birmingham 12 Posted 15/06/2017 at 22:06:34 Looks like EFC have planned and prepared their transfer strategy. Let's hope there's more to come and proven class and ability. Alan Brown 13 Posted 15/06/2017 at 22:35:05 Peter Shilton is right. You don't have a great team without a great goalkeeper. If we don't baulk at paying that amount for an outfield player then it's okay for the 'last defence'. nd so cool we've done this in such an amicable and professional way that even Sunderland fans are happy with us. Class. Lee Courtliff 14 Posted 15/06/2017 at 00:06:09 Andy #11 Surely David Seamen was top notch?I'm excited about this lad... it's a gamble with such a young player in such a specialised position but I'd much prefer this than the old 'safety, experienced, good pro' approach!We need to gamble on young lads as we can't attract the top level players... yet! Colin Glassar 15 Posted 15/06/2017 at 00:09:55 If the Binnie says he's worth it, that's good enough for me.Andy, are you just naming goalies who've played in England? I could give you at least 10 more names, 20 if you include the world's best. Steve Bingham 16 Posted 16/06/2017 at 05:02:45 Welcome to our new Number One. Heady days, these! I cannot remember the last time our club made purchases so early. Brilliant. Now the lad from Swansea, a couple of top centre-halves and a striker and we're in business. Andy Meighan 17 Posted 16/06/2017 at 05:12:07 Yes, Col, just keepers who have played in England. Lee, I was never struck on. Seaman, good goalie but I wouldn't put him up there with the above-mentioned. Still, it's all about opinions. Anton Walsh 18 Posted 16/06/2017 at 09:04:36 As soon as I seen him close up from last season, his handling and distribution stood out a mile. Dave Abrahams 19 Posted 18/06/2017 at 20:57:23 Andy (#11), more than likely before your time but Bert Trautman, a German prisoner of war who played many years for Man City, was an exceptional goalkeeper. He broke his neck in the 1955 FA Cup Final playing against Birmingham City. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. About these ads