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Everton pull off real coup with Pickford deal

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OPINION

Things have been pretty hit and miss at Everton over the past couple of weeks but it would be hard to argue they have secured quite the coup by getting Jordan Pickford to commit to a new six-year deal.

The Toffees revealed the long-term commitment for the 24-year-old shot stopper on Tuesday, taking to their official Twitter account and website to unveil the news to the Goodison Park faithful, and it was a revelation which left many of them totally delighted on Twitter.

Speaking about the reason he chose to tie himself to the club, as well as revealing his decision to move to Merseyside in the first place, the keeper spoke about his aspirations with England, having become the first choice between the stick for the Three Lions.

However, as reported by Sky Sports over the summer transfer window, the former Sunderland man was targeted by Chelsea as a potential replacement for Thibaut Courtois, and as long as he keeps impressing between the sticks, there are going to be clubs chasing his capture – which is what makes his new, extra long-term deal an impressive coup for a side well outside the elite of the division.

The fans might think that the new contract means he is going to be at Goodison Park for the foreseeable future but the truth of the matter is it was probably more to do with protecting their asset.

Simply put, the Toffees are not among Europe’s top sides and so long as Pickford is guaranteed first team football to keep his place in the England squad, a move elsewhere cannot be ruled out – in fact, it is probably more than likely he will leave before 2024 if the Toffees are not among the top six of English football – which looks a tough nut to crack.

Everton fans are probably going to suffer the heatbreak of losing him over the next couple of years unless the landscape of football in England changes – but at least this contract should see the Toffees pick up a healthy fee.

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