Everton

Everton: Greg O’Keeffe discusses Robin Olsen’s role with the Toffees

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Image for Everton: Greg O’Keeffe discusses Robin Olsen’s role with the Toffees

The Athletic reporter Greg O’Keeffe has recently discussed Robin Olsen and the Swedish goalkeeper’s role with Everton.

During the recent transfer window, the Toffees secured the services of the 30-year-old stopper on a season-long loan from Serie A outfit AS Roma (per Sky Sports).

Since his arrival at Goodison Park, the £4.5m-rated ‘keeper has not made a single appearance for Carlo Ancelotti’s outfit (per Transfermarkt).

Meanwhile, Jordan Pickford has been in underwhelming form for Everton as he has delivered a 6.37/10 average rating over five Premier League matches, making him the club’s sixth-worst performer (per WhoScored).

In the latest episode of The Athletic’s Gwlad Tidings podcast, O’Keeffe discussed the role of the Swedish stopper at Goodison Park.

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To kick off this quiz on Allan, what squad number does the midfielder currently wear for Everton?

He said: “[Ancelotti] brought Olsen in clearly to do more than sit on the bench and do, effectively, what Jonas Lossl was doing last season, and Maarten Stekelenburg at times.

“I think he’s there to put pressure on Pickford but he also buys Ancelotti a little bit of time, he’s on loan, he’s not Sergio Romero – who’s someone they did want to bring in who was seriously looking to play.

“That’s not to say Olsen isn’t looking to play but I think it’s a halfway house between a direct new number one and someone who can just increase the pressure on Pickford and give him a stronger option.

“I don’t think Ancelotti, for all his loyalty and for all his diplomacy, I don’t think he’ll prevaricate for too long if this becomes clear that it’s not just a massive slump in form but if this is Pickford now.

“Say we were to drift into Jack Butland territory, for example, he’s not going to waste any time in doing something about it.”

TIF Thoughts on what Greg O’Keeffe had to say regarding Robin Olsen and Jordan Pickford…

Judging from what the journalist had to say, he seems to believe that Olsen is at the club to provide serious competition and that Pickford may be replaced if his form does not turn around.

Who would you rather see start against Southampton on Sunday?

Olsen

Olsen

Pickford

Pickford

Hopefully, for Pickford and Everton, he can begin to deliver the performances which he did during the 2016/17 Premier League season when he earned a 7.04/10 average rating in 29 appearances for Sunderland.

As for Olsen, it will be interesting to see how he fares when he is given the nod by Ancelotti to start between the sticks.

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