Alan Shearer and Micah Richards have both lauded one Everton star for his performances under Sean Dyche last season.
Everton endured a tough season off the pitch after being docked a total of eight points by the Premier League.
Despite the obvious difficulties, Sean Dyche led the Toffees to a 15th-place finish and comfortably avoided relegation.
Everton’s success was largely built from a solid backline, with Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski impressing in central defence. But Jordan Pickford also earned plenty of plaudits for his displays between the sticks after picking up 13 clean sheets.
Only Arsenal’s David Raya picked up more with 16 and it’s fair to say that both Alan Shearer and Micah Richards were impressed with Pickford last term.
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What Shearer and Richards have said about Everton’s Jordan Pickford
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Shearer and Richards looked ahead to England’s Euro 2024 campaign.
Gareth Southgate’s men kick off their tournament against Slovenia on Sunday and Pickford is expected to start.
“He does get too excited now and again but he’s had a brilliant season and has always done well for England,” Shearer said.
Richards added: “Agreed. He has been outstanding this season. I like tactically as well, he can change it up and go long if need be, but he’s also very good on the ball if you want to play out.”
Everton must keep Pickford this summer
With plenty being made about the need to sell players ahead of June 30, Pickford is a player Everton simply cannot afford to lose.
The £30 million has been ever-reliable between the sticks and has just enjoyed his best season to date under Dyche.
Replacing a goalkeeper of Pickford’s quality would be no easy task for Kevin Thelwell, particularly as funds are expected to be limited this summer.
Fortunately for the Toffees, a move for Pickford feels highly unlikely after England’s number one put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year contract in early 2023.