Pickford delivers verdict on international heroics, discusses Everton move
By Danny Wright
Jordan Pickford has insisted that his big money transfer from Sunderland to Everton was the “best move” for him to make.
The 23-year-old switch to Goodison Park confirmed on Thursday, in a British record fee for a goalkeeper that could rise as high as £30million.
It didn’t take long for him to show his ability to his new fans with some international heroics either, as he saved a late penalty to earn England Under-21s a goalless draw with Sweden in the opening match of the Under-21 European Championships on Friday.
Pickford has admitted that he knew exactly what he was doing when he beat away Linus Wahlqvist’s spot kick in the 81st minute and is now hoping that the Young Lions pick up maximum points in their next two fixtures against Slovakia and host nation Poland.
“The main thing is not to lose the game. The first game is always tight. It’s down to us to win the next two,” he said, as quoted by the Mirror.
“I waited longer and held my ground and got to the penalty, that’s what you do. Sweden killed our tempo a bit, they had a gameplan to let us have the ball at the back and now we move on to Monday.
“It’s nice to get my move out of the way so I can concentrate and focus on the tournament. Everton was the best move for me.”
Pickford wasn’t the only signing that Everton confirmed on Thursday, as Ajax captain Davy Klaassen was announced as Ronald Koeman’s first outfield signing of the summer, taking the club’s spending over £50million before the transfer window officially opens on July 1.
The England youth goalkeeper was in top form for Sunderland last season, despite their humiliating relegation from the Premier League.
Many former pros have already been tipping him for big things in the future, with Neville Southall and Peter Shilton both admitting that £30million for a player of his quality and importance is a relative bargain.
In other Everton news, professional boxer and Toffees supporter Tony Bellew has had his say on Thursday’s exiting announcements.
We’ve launched a << BREAKING NEWS FEED>> exclusively for your club. ‘Like Us’ on Facebook by clicking here if you want 24/7 updates on all Everton breaking news.