AliousEverton’s Jordan Pickford Faces Uncertain Future as Dyche Considers Goalkeeping Shake-up
Jordan Pickford, Everton’s long-standing first-choice goalkeeper and England international, finds himself under intense scrutiny at Goodison Park. According to journalist Alan Nixon, reporting via his Patreon on September 15, Pickford’s position as the undisputed number one is increasingly precarious, with manager Sean Dyche reportedly contemplating a significant change between the posts.
The situation has apparently reached a critical point where Pickford could potentially lose his starting role within a matter of weeks. This development comes as Dyche is said to be “in the mood for a change,” signaling a possible shift in the team’s goalkeeping hierarchy. The Everton manager is reportedly considering giving opportunities to both Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia in the upcoming Carabao Cup fixtures, providing them a platform to stake their claim for the Premier League starting position.
Dyche’s dissatisfaction with Pickford’s recent form has led to speculation about potential long-term replacements. Notably, Newcastle United’s Nick Pope has been mentioned as a target should Dyche’s concerns about Pickford persist. This interest in Pope underscores the seriousness of the situation and Dyche’s willingness to explore alternatives.
The immediate future looks uncertain for Pickford, with Dyche allegedly looking to “shake him up” following his return from Euro 2024. This approach suggests that the manager is keen on jolting Pickford out of any perceived complacency and pushing him to regain his top form.
The upcoming Carabao Cup third-round match against Southampton on September 17 presents the first opportunity for this goalkeeping shake-up. It’s likely that Pickford will be rested for this fixture, allowing either Virginia or Begovic to stake their claim. Interestingly, Pickford’s only clean sheet of the current campaign came in the previous round against Doncaster, which also happens to be Everton’s only non-defeat so far this season.
While it’s fair to acknowledge that Pickford’s form has been below his usual standards, possibly due to a late return after England’s Euro 2024 final appearance, the decision to potentially drop him is nonetheless surprising. Pickford has been a key figure in Everton’s recent Premier League survival battles, often standing out as one of the team’s few star performers.
The timing of this potential change is particularly intriguing given Everton’s poor start to the season. While no player should be considered untouchable, especially during a challenging period, dropping a player of Pickford’s caliber and importance could be seen as a risky move. This is especially true when considering that Dyche has continued to select other players who have faced criticism, such as Ashley Young and Michael Keane.
Both Begovic and Virginia are capable goalkeepers in their own right, but there’s a prevailing sentiment that Everton’s chances of success are higher with Pickford between the posts. This potential goalkeeping change comes at a time when Dyche himself is reportedly under pressure, with some sources suggesting he could face unemployment if results don’t improve within a month.
The situation raises questions about Dyche’s priorities and decision-making. Some observers argue that other changes, such as giving more playing time to promising players like Jake O’Brien or new signing Jesper Lindstrom, might be more beneficial than a goalkeeper swap at this juncture.
As Everton navigate through this challenging period, all eyes will be on Dyche’s team selections in the coming weeks, particularly regarding the goalkeeper position. The decision could have far-reaching implications not only for Pickford’s future at the club but also for Everton’s prospects this season and potentially Dyche’s own tenure as manager.
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