'Massive Credit' - Pundit raves about Everton star who could have left for Champions League football

Everton would no longer be in the Premier League if it wasn’t for Jordan Pickford who has “massive credit in the bank” for club and country, says Michael Ball.

The ex-Toffees defender backed the keeper in his Liverpool Echo column on 14 October after the latest round of questions over his place as England number one, following a rough outing in the 2-1 loss to Greece on 10 October, and Dean Henderson getting the nod ahead of him for the subsequent 3-1 win over Finland on 13 October.

Ball is convinced that despite a relatively poor season so far Pickford remains the the top choice at both levels, and highlighted his importance at Goodison Park in recent seasons when he would have had the option to leave for European football.

Ball wrote: “I think Jordan has got massive credit in the bank with Evertonians and I feel even more so for England. I don’t think England would have got anywhere near as far as they have in recent tournaments without Jordan and I don’t think Everton would be in the Premier League if it wasn’t for him…”

He went on: “We could have lost Jordan to teams that could offer him Champions League football, but he seems to get Everton, understanding the football club and the fanbase, who he has immersed himself with. He’s had a bit of a slow start to the season, but they all have at Everton.”

Jordan Pickford still Everton and England number one

Pickford reaffirmed his commitment to the club when he signed a new contract at the height of the relegation fears in a year and a half ago, and then confirmed he would definitely be staying ahead of last season.

Prior to that he had often been considered a potential big-money departure in the same way Richarlison, and more recently Amadou Onana, proved to be, with links to the likes of Manchester United [Daily Mail].

The 30-year-old has made his share of mistakes as Toffees number one, but has arguably been operating under as much pressure as a starting keeper as any in recent years.

He won’t last long if he lets his standards slip for an extended period but a dramatic penalty save from former teammate Anthony Gordon in the goalless draw with Newcastle on 5 October, without star defender Jarrad Branthwaite, suggested he was returning to form for his club.

If he continues in that direction it should change his manager’s mind on potentially going after a deal for Nick Pope in January [Alan Nixon, 15 September].

The chaotic outing against Greece subsequently might have raised some renewed doubts so he will have to take missing the Finland victory constructively and refocus on his return to Toffees action at Ipswich on 19 October.

In other Everton news, an exit-linked Toffees ace is now in negotiations with the club over a lucrative new deal.

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