Pickford signs six-year Everton deal

Wednesday, 26 September, 2018 64comments  |  Jump to most recent
Jordan Pickford has committed his long-term future to Everton by signing an improved contract that ties him to the club until 2024.

The 24-year-old's new terms represent the longest of any player on the club's books, a statement of the Blues' faith that the England goalkeeper will be first choice at Goodison Park for many years to come as well as a guarantee that any interested buyers would have to offer a massive fee to prise him away.

Pickford was signed by Everton last year in a deal that will ultimately be worth £30m, a fee derided at the time in some quarters but which could end up being regarded as money very well spent.

"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 in the announcement confirming his new contract.

"Getting the opportunity to become England's number one 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.

"This is a great club for me and, hopefully, we can get the success for the fans to earn the right to be a legend at Everton one day, each and every one of us."

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Reader Comments (64)

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John Audsley
2 Posted 26/09/2018 at 19:48:55
Great news, he can only get better but needs a stable back 4 in front of him.

Very positive news for once.

Harry Hockley
3 Posted 26/09/2018 at 19:54:42
Great news, now go get us a clean sheet please! Seems like an eternity since we had one.
Rick Pattinson
4 Posted 26/09/2018 at 20:06:30
Such maturity for a young lad not swayed by the evil of the Chelsea's and Utds of the world. He will be the next big Nev If that's possible. A loyal servant reaching legendary status.
Steve Ferns
5 Posted 26/09/2018 at 20:09:20
I'm not sure how good Pickford can be. Some say he has all the tools (except height) to be world class. Some of them are ex-pros and particularly goalies. I'll take their word for it. I do have some doubts.

What does please me is the message this sends out. England's number 1. In demand after the world cup, Chelsea came sniffing and were told where to go. now he's signed a new deal. It's a message of Everton holding onto their stars.

That said, £50m in the bank and Jack Butland as a replacement would have been very tempting.

John Graham
6 Posted 26/09/2018 at 20:24:52
Great news!

Top goalkeeper and still young enough to improve.

COYB

Rob B Williams
7 Posted 26/09/2018 at 20:25:29
SF 4 -
'all the tools (except height)
'I do have some doubts.'
'£50m in the bank and Jack Butland as a replacement would have been very tempting.'

Are you still acting as MS's mouthpiece or have you come to these decisions yourself?

This fella is the real thing - fear not Ferns.

Jason - believe in your own ability and you will be the best - even rubbing shoulders with our Nev. I can pay you no greater compliment than that.

Karl Parsons
8 Posted 26/09/2018 at 20:38:02
Brilliant news.
John G Davies
9 Posted 26/09/2018 at 20:41:02
Rob 6,

Well said, mate.

Good luck to Jordan as well as Jason.

Paul Rice
10 Posted 26/09/2018 at 20:41:46
Jason? Christ, we've not signed Kearton again, have we?!!
Tony Abrahams
11 Posted 26/09/2018 at 20:42:12
He hasn't kept a clean sheet all season, and we are now giving him a new six-year contract?
Marcus Leigh
12 Posted 26/09/2018 at 20:42:22
This really is good news - the lad's a top-class player and he'll only get better over time. He clearly believes in the club's vision for the future. Bring it on!

@Tony Abrahams - and you think that's his fault?

Tony Abrahams
13 Posted 26/09/2018 at 20:59:06
I was joking Marcus (it's ToffeeWeb) and I'm actually made up Pickford has signed a new contract because that's really good news mate!

James Marshall said we're going to be playing three at the back on Saturday, which will obviously mean Mina is going to make his debut?

We have been short defensively, and I personally think that this change of tactic will really benefit us in the short-term, which is not something I want to look past right now, because it's really important that the crowd get right behind Silva and his players right now?

Steve Ferns
14 Posted 26/09/2018 at 21:01:22
Tony, it's not the length of contract it's the wages. No doubt he'll have had a hefty increase worthy of the England No 1. The contract will have been agreed in principle in the summer when we told Chelsea where to go. We can easy make a profit on Pickford. Don't worry about that.
Tony Abrahams
15 Posted 26/09/2018 at 21:11:28
That’s life Steve, money talks, especially if your player is on a long contract!
Eddie Dunn
16 Posted 26/09/2018 at 21:12:28
Good news. We protect our investment and he says all the right things.

For those worrying about his height- he is the same as the great Nev... 6'-1". A wholesome lad with bags of talent and a super attitude. I am chuffed.

Rob B Williams
17 Posted 26/09/2018 at 21:17:15
SF 13 'We can easy make a profit on Pickford. Don't worry about that.'

What are we a 'selling' club?

Why would you, the apparent Evertonian version of the 'Sage of Omaha' want to sell him?

Stick to your day job, mate!- and stop playing Soccer Manager!!

Joe McMahon
18 Posted 26/09/2018 at 21:18:59
Eddie, this height thing won't go away. But if height does matter, Nev was 30 years ago, the average centre-half wasn't 6'-4" like many seem to be now.

Players are now taller. He's a good keeper but not the best.

Kieran Kinsella
19 Posted 26/09/2018 at 21:23:01
Height-wise he is also the same size as Iker Casillas who didn't forge a bad career for himself. Obviously, it would be better if he was taller but it would also be better if say John Ruddy (who is tall) was better at being a keeper.
Eddie Dunn
20 Posted 26/09/2018 at 21:40:58
Joe, I know but I think we will thank our lucky stars we got him in future years.
Rob Halligan
21 Posted 26/09/2018 at 21:45:22
It doesn't matter how tall or how good a goalie you are, nobody would have stopped Hazard's winning goal against the RS tonight. 😂😂😂
Joe McMahon
22 Posted 26/09/2018 at 21:50:33
Eddie I agree, and Silva didn't inherit many good players. Pickford, Walcott, possibly Lookman (will we ever find out).
Liam Reilly
23 Posted 26/09/2018 at 22:01:03
Awesome! Quality keeper.

The cornerstone of all good sides is the keeper.

Well done, Brands (presumably), for getting this done.

Tony Everan
24 Posted 26/09/2018 at 22:10:12
I am delighted, he will be settled and committed to the club for the long term. That commitment and dedication to Everton by a top player will rub off on the others.

As John #1 says, he will benefit greatly from having a stable back 4 in front of him.

Gordon White
25 Posted 26/09/2018 at 23:09:20
Great news. A top class player committed to the club. Sign of things to come.
Ian Pilkington
26 Posted 26/09/2018 at 23:12:14
This is great news indeed. It is no coincidence that our postwar trophy winning teams had either Gordon West or Neville Southall in goal, both great ‘keepers.

Jordan has the opportunity to become one and I don't think he will disappoint us.

Mike Gaynes
27 Posted 26/09/2018 at 23:36:10
Great news. Excellent decision by the club.
Jamie Crowley
28 Posted 26/09/2018 at 23:47:48
Wonderful news.

Jordan last season was pissing me off a bit with his goal kicks. He often - read frequently - "out-kicked his coverage" as we'd say over here to borrow an NFL reference. He'd over-cook the shit out of his punts and goal kicks straight to the opposing defense or keeper.

This summer at the World Cup, he played the ball out from the back and was much, much more accurate with his goal kicks and punts.

He's improving his distribution, and he's one hell of a shot stopper.

This kid will be a brick wall for us for a long time to come. And he's clearly working on his game diligently.

Good egg too. Seems to have his head screwed on straight.

Very, very good signing. I'm thrilled.

Jamie Crowley
29 Posted 26/09/2018 at 23:51:11
An aside, a counter to his height is his ass.

His butt looks like it's the strongest part of his body. And it must be because he reacts with that leg and lower body strength faster than any keeper I've seen.

His ass could win an arm wrestling contest against Mike Tyson.

Sometimes I digress.

Andy Crooks
30 Posted 26/09/2018 at 23:55:37
The notion that a goalkeeper should be about eight feet tall is just ludicrous. It is, in my view, about agility, mental strength and confidence.Yes, I know Jordan is only five foot one but he will grow.
Shaun Laycock
31 Posted 27/09/2018 at 07:17:54
Now there's an image...Jordan's butt arm wrestling Mike Tyson with the white tiger as ref no doubt. That image is Over the Top!
Steven Jones
32 Posted 27/09/2018 at 07:45:12
Excellent news - lots of time to improve and if he becomes the best in the world one day then we have the contract to get good money for him and or keep him because it will mean trophies and legendary status, which he recognises and values.

Great move and an excellent guy!

gerard mcgregor
33 Posted 27/09/2018 at 07:47:04
Happy that he has signed but is there no mention of a buy-out clause.
John Pickles
34 Posted 27/09/2018 at 08:17:22
Good, now he can start working on the fact that we have less clean sheets than the local hospital’s geriatric ward.
Victor Yu
35 Posted 27/09/2018 at 08:39:28
He can still force a move if he wants to. Don't get too excited yet.
Jim Bennings
36 Posted 27/09/2018 at 10:48:55
I think our laundry closed down last year Mr Pickles.
Tony McNulty
37 Posted 27/09/2018 at 11:07:28
I was never a goalkeeper (in my head I was Jimmy Husband, in reality I was a useless, dirty left back in the mould of a poor man's Sandy Brown).

Nonetheless, regarding this height business, surely while being taller helps in many situations, in others (such as getting down quickly to make saves when the ball is on or near the ground) it is better not to be the CN tower?

Dick Fearon
38 Posted 27/09/2018 at 11:23:26
John @ 34,
Having a dig at your olders and probably better eh'
Perhaps your own passing will be marked only by streaks on the bed sheets of life.
Stephen Bird
39 Posted 27/09/2018 at 12:02:31
Rob #21
I think you would have got a hand to it !!
Tony J Williams
42 Posted 27/09/2018 at 12:43:26
Sick and tired of hearing about his fucking height.

He is the same height as Southall and taller than the World Cup winning keeper Captain – Dino Zoff

So, unless the goals have increased in size and I haven't noticed, the pundits can suck my shrivelled tessies.

James Marshall
43 Posted 27/09/2018 at 13:04:08
The height thing only gets mentioned because over the years clubs have installed giant fucking beanpoles for keepers. Agility wins over height for me.

I was a goalkeeper myself for many years, and at 6'-2", I was a decent blend of tall (ish) and agile. Pickford is only 6'-1" so he is quite short for a pro keeper these days, but again so what?

Some of my favourite keepers have been shorter. Southall: 6'-1". Jose Luis Chilavert: 6'-1". Rene Higuita 5'-9". Lev Yashin 6'-2". None of them giants but all of them giants of the game.

Brian Wilkinson
44 Posted 27/09/2018 at 13:09:25
I do not find it an issue, like others have said he is the same height, the difference with Nev is he stood to his line until he needed to rush out, Pickford gets caught out by being off his line or stood at one side of his goal, whether it be a free kick or a long range shot, no doubting though anything low or rushing out he more than often stops it.

No doubting he will get even better, done well to tie him down to a 6 year contract, not that it will stop others chancing their arm should they wish to sign him.

Brian Wilkinson
45 Posted 27/09/2018 at 13:35:09
Southall, Shilton, Banks, West all 6ft former keepers.
Tony Marsh
46 Posted 27/09/2018 at 13:38:15
Tony @ 42,

A tall, well-built goalkeeper is a must these days because the outfield players are enormous. When Southall, Zoff, and Shilton etc were playing 30 years ago, they didn't come up against players every week who were 6ft-5in plus. The outfield players in today's game are monsters. Just walking around the streets these days, kids are all huge. People are getting bigger.

Pickford is tiny for a keeper – really small. I don't think Pickford makes himself big enough between the sticks either. West Ham's 3rd goal two weeks ago should've been kept out. Pickford is definitely too small for the modern game.

He's really poor coming for crosses, doesn't flatten enough players clearing his lines because he is not very imposing, parries shots back into open play too often... Just not very good.

Jordan's stock did rise for a short while due to saving penalties for England but who cares about that?

I think it's a bad move by the club, this 6-year deal for Pickford. As per usual EFC are to over-generous and too kind. What happens if Pickford's decline this season continues and he becomes the next Joe Hart?? We end up stuck with a dud once more on a massive contact... We never learn.


Pete Edwards
47 Posted 27/09/2018 at 13:59:04
Brian, as far as I'm aware (I did play in goal many moons ago) keepers aren't meant to stand on their line in the middle of the goal.

I've always coached my keepers to move and follow the play and to be off their line as it narrows the angle and gives a smaller target to aim at for the attacker, now how far off the line is down to judgement typically, but in training situations, I have always tried to guide this.

The fact that he is on one side for a freekick, yes that's where he should be and is the reason for a wall.

I don't remember this being a trait of Southall's; if it was then I'd put that down to amazing judgement some luck and him being a bit of a one off!

Tony McNulty
48 Posted 27/09/2018 at 14:15:24
Pete,

Re, Southall being a one off, Pat Nevin came to speak at the London Supporters' meeting last year.

He told a story of the players pissing themselves laughing because at the end of training they would all try to beat Nev from a distance with shots.

They hardly ever could. And it was with Nev holding his arms by his side and not using them. Apparently his anticipation was so fantastic he would be able to save with his feet, head etc.

John Keating
49 Posted 27/09/2018 at 14:43:24
Seen some good goalies over the years at the Club - some dross too !

However although my early 60's team with West was my favourite without doubt the 80's team with Nev was the luckiest.

Not lucky in what they achieved but lucky in having one of the greatest goalies in living memory.

I bet there are very few people alive today who can honestly say there wer loads better keepers that Nev.

So why all of a sudden to we have to have these 6'5" giants to be par for the course ?

Great to see the Club, after so many years, taking steps to keep our better players and getting rid of the crap.

Drew O'Neall
50 Posted 27/09/2018 at 14:46:47
How much longer is this contract than the one he signed a year ago? Presumably it was a five year deal then?

Have we therefore just doubled his wages (since his England campaign and Chelsea’s overtures) for a 12 month extension? Did the geniuses insert a minimum fee release clause too?

I won’t be proverbially slapping Marcel Brands or anyone else on the back just yet.

Michael Kenrick
51 Posted 27/09/2018 at 15:31:19
Drew, although you are correct that he was on a 5-year deal, the contract has been extended by 2 years, to 2024, as it's 6 years from now, not 6 years from when he signed originally.

I think it's a sensible move by the club; it was a promise made by Steve Walsh when he was signed, apparently, that his contract would be reviewed if he did well. I agree that, for some of us fans, he could have done better. Let's see if he does improve with this kind of security and statement of confidence behind him.

Tony Marsh... "really small"!!! Your innate ability to spout incomprehensible hyperbole never disappoints.

Tony Everan
52 Posted 27/09/2018 at 15:51:40
The foundations of success are being laid. Pickford’s long term contract is steel reinforcement in the concrete.

We have a dynamic DOF and a young hungry manager who is committed to the project who says he needs a long term job building a great team.

The building blocks are being laid on stable foundations, it bodes well for the future of EFC. We are gradually getting back to being a proper well run and competitive football club.

Dave Abrahams
53 Posted 27/09/2018 at 16:16:23
Tony (52), I think and hope you are correct, building for the future, starting with Brand and Silva coming in last summer, just one transfer window up to now, but quite a lot accomplished during it; more to follow window to window.

I have no problem at looking at Liverpool and how they started rebuilding when Klopp came. I'm not sure but I think only Sturridge and Henderson were first team players, from when Klopp arrived, that played in last Saturday's team against Southampton.

It has taken the Liverpool manager over three years and quite a few mistakes to get Liverpool into the very good position that are in now. Brands and Silva have been here four months, just think about that... they deserve a lot more time I think.

Pete Edwards
54 Posted 27/09/2018 at 16:19:43
Tony, I'm sure there's a clip of it somewhere or might be some still pics of it, I'm sure I've seen something about it in the past.

I'm not sure he would always play on his goal line though in games.

Craig Walker
55 Posted 27/09/2018 at 16:21:36
I like Pickford; he is definitely one of our best players and certainly is one of the best signings we've made in recent seasons. Where I disagree with a lot of fellow Blues is on his distribution.

I get told by fellow TWers and pundits (usually ex RS players) how his distribution is outstanding but I just don't see it. Admittedly, there were times last season where he caught the ball and launched an attack with a low-trajectory ball but other top keepers do this regularly. I see Neuer as the ultimate goalkeeping-distributor.

A lot of times with Pickford, he finds touch or an opposition player. He gave the ball away the other week against West Ham which resulted in a goal. Maybe it's a case that I'm only remembering the miscues but I might start taking more notice of how many times he actually finds a blue shirt. My suspicion is that it isn't as often as his reputation suggests.

The other criticism I would have of him is that he palms shots away across goal. I remember during the World Cup, Ryan Giggs was a pundit and he recounted tales of Southall practising palming the ball out for a throw-in. Southall is still the best goalkeeper I've seen at Everton, closely followed by Nigel Martyn.

Paul Kossoff
57 Posted 27/09/2018 at 16:57:56
The game's gone money mad! You have players signing a contract in August and being given a new one in January! Bloody mental!.

And it doesn't tie the player to the club at all – as soon as the agent smells more cash, they are off!

Drew O'Neall
58 Posted 27/09/2018 at 17:24:44
Michael 51

Yeah I don’t think it’s a bad thing and I’m certainly not one of his critics just not leaping with excitement at what is clearly a wage hike disguised (at least to some) as a masterstroke.

I hope he’s with us for many years to come and is paid handsomely in the process, preferably by way of performance related bonuses!

Tony Sullivan
60 Posted 27/09/2018 at 18:12:35
Tony Marsh #42,

Another really positive contribution. Do you think there is anything positive about the club? If you do perhaps you could let us know what it is?

Rob Halligan
61 Posted 27/09/2018 at 18:20:34
Steve #39. It would have been close. But no doubt our class Welsh centre half would have scythed him down before he got anywhere near the penalty area!!
Kieran Kinsella
62 Posted 27/09/2018 at 20:12:29
Tony Marsh 46,

Other than coming for crosses I don't see how height wouldn't have been a factor facing shots 30 years ago versus now. If he could have done better against West Ham surely that is a technical issue rather than height related. The goals have gotten larger.

Also on the height thing, I don't see that many 6'-5" players but, even if there are, Pickford is 6'-1". He is four inches shorter, but he can use his arms which actually gives him a couple of feet advantage over the tallest of blokes if they are competing in the air.

That being said, as a keeper he doesn't even have to connect with the ball these days. All he has to do is jump in the vicinity of an opposition player and the ref will automatically give him a free kick.

Nick Armitage
63 Posted 27/09/2018 at 21:18:00
A 6-year contract just means he'll cost any suitors £100m.
Andy Crooks
65 Posted 27/09/2018 at 21:29:40
Tony S @ 60, Tony Marsh, with whom I have crossed swords many times, has been posting some astute, positive comments lately.
Tony Marsh
66 Posted 27/09/2018 at 21:39:16
Tony @60,

Seeing all the awful players on huge salaries signed by the club over the last 2 years, forgive me If I feel a bit uneasy about giving Pickford 6 more years. Pickford isn't a world beater, he is just okay. Have we learned nothing from the Klaassen, Sandro and more recently Gana deals??

Pickford has been poor this season and gets rewarded with a massive long-term deal. I don't believe he deserves such an incredible gesture from the club. If it does go tits-up, then we are stuck with another highly paid dud we can't shift. We can't afford to be so casual dishing out long-term contracts any more.

Matt Woods
67 Posted 27/09/2018 at 22:19:00
I think views on Pickford's size are just subjective. He is, as others have said, the same height as Southall but has not quite filled out yet.

Just my opinion but, if you are 6'-1" and have arms, you should still have a strong advantage against a 6'-5" attacker.

The dimensions of the goal posts have not changed so I don't see any reason why Pickford can't protect them like the 6'-1" keepers of the past.

I am not totally convinced by him, and a 6-year deal does seem overly generous but he certainly has talent.

Peter Thistle
68 Posted 28/09/2018 at 04:14:13
It's not my money but it does bug me that players keep getting improved contracts when they've only been at a club 1 season. Like he's not rich enough, poor lad was only on shitloads a week, needs to be a multi millionaire quicker just cos England were okay-ish in the World Cup. daft.

Enjoy spending silly money on a ticket to get into the ground so these greedy fuckers can drive Ferraris and live in mansions after playing 5 minutes in the top leagues. Clearly I'm skint and jealous but still, takes the piss. :P

Justin Doone
69 Posted 28/09/2018 at 11:48:30
Sorry but I think his move to Everton and claiming the England number 1 spot should be enough reward at least for another season until he proves himself. He still needs to learn and improve and hopefully be a part of a successful winning Everton team.

To much to soon. He's a good goalkeeper but I certainly can't back him yet as being top class never mind amongst the best in the Premier league.

He has no competition at Everton nor does he have much for England because the other lads can't use their feet even though I'd class Butland and Forster better keepers.

Kevin Dyer
70 Posted 29/09/2018 at 09:25:08
#18 Joe that's an exaggeration, CBs are not 6'4 as an average! They may be slightly taller than 20-30 years back but remember that keeper's are protected now, any contact on them is a foul even if they initiate it.

#19 Kieran the idea that Casillas is 6'1 always made me laugh, 5'11 tops.

Watching Everton, out of left field my partner announced Pickford has legs like a woman! I was honestly speechless!


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