‘One of the best around’ – Holgate raves about Everton summer signing

By Aramide Oladipo

Everton youngster Mason Holgate has heaped heavy praise on fellow club teammate Jordan Pickford and claimed that the goalkeeper is “unbelievable”.

Pickford, 23, completed a permanent move to the Toffees from relegated Sunderland in the summer transfer window for a reported fee which could rise to £30million.

The shot-stopper enjoyed a clean sheet in his first Premier League club for his new club as Everton beat Stoke City 1-0 at Goodison Park on the opening day of the season.

However, Pickford has been let down by his defence and he has already conceded a total of 15 goals in all competitions.

Despite this, defender Holgate believes that the young goalkeeper is a fine addition to the squad and he is convinced that he will become a regular in the England national team starting lineup.

“I said when he arrived what I thought of him as a keeper – he’s unbelievable,” he told the Liverpool Echo.

“I think he’s one of the best around in his position.

“I believe, in time, he’ll become England’s number one.”

England boss Gareth Southgate opted to pick the new Everton recruit in the squad during the international break but Joe Hart was the preferred option between the sticks in the midweek victory over Slovenia.

Holgate, 20, has continued to feature for the Everton first-team this season, making a total of six appearances.

Both players will be hopeful that they can enjoy more minutes when the Toffees return to Premier League action against Brighton next weekend.

In other Everton news, this Koeman transfer decision is looking more of a disaster each time the Toffees play – and it wasn’t to sell Romelu Lukaku.

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