Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the January transfer window.
The Pensioners will look to back Graham Potter in the winter transfer window to try and turn the club’s fortunes around. They are scouring the market for a new goalkeeper with Potter not fully convinced with his current goalkeepers Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy.
According to The Sun, Chelsea will closely watch Jordan Pickford at the World Cup in Qatar, as co-owner Todd Boehly looks for a new shot-stopper. The Everton goalkeeper has caught the eye of Graham Potter and emerged as an alternative to Brighton’s Robert Sanchez, the report adds.
Pickford, 28, has blown hot and cold for Everton since arriving from Sunderland in 2017. However, he has excelled at international level with England and is expected to start their first game at the World Cup against Iran on Monday.
Jordan Pickford to Chelsea—Should they consider a move?
Everton raised eyebrows when they splashed out £30m to sign Jordan Pickford from Sunderland five years ago. Since then, Pickford has had ups and downs in his career with Everton, but he has managed to establish himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.
The 28-year-old has been Everton’s No.1 ever since moving to Goodison Park, making close to 200 Premier League appearances to date. On international level with the Three Lions, he has been a different beast and often produced top moments when called upon.
An experienced goalkeeper with a safe pair of hands, Pickford could be a top acquisition for Chelsea. Graham Potter is unconvinced with both Kepa and Mendy, even though the former has been excellent since seemingly becoming the club’s No.1 under him before getting injured earlier this month.
Kepa has made six Premier League appearances so far this season, while Mendy, who was the first-choice goalkeeper under former boss Thomas Tuchel, has made nine, and Potter wants a definitive No.1 he can rely on consistently. The Chelsea boss wants stability in between the sticks and has Pickford on his wishlist.
Pickford has won 45 caps for England and has been the first choice for Gareth Southgate for years, playing a significant role in the nation’s qualification to the semi-finals and final in the 2018 World Cup and 2020 Euro, respectively. The English shot-stopper has shown time and again that he can handle pressure situations at both club and international level, and at 28 could be tempted to join a bigger club than Everton.
If Pickford enjoys a solid World Cup in Qatar, Chelsea must table a bid to sign him in January.
