With one of the longest lists of released players in the premier league, Everton have found themselves in need of a goalkeeper or two. Veteran Asmir Begovic has not been offered a new contract nor has back up keeper Joao Virginia. None of the younger keepers have senior experience above league one level.
Harry Tyrer spent this last season at Blackpool, and Billy Crellin, whose contract is expiring this summer, was at League Two Accrington Stanley. Lower down the ranks U21 keeper Zan Luk Leban has left after a second season in the youth team. Fraser Barnsley’s contract also ends this summer leaving George Pickford as the only confirmed under 21 goalkeeper.
Big Brother is Coaching You
Good dynamics between the goalkeeping group are essential, especially at Everton where having the right personalities as backup and third keeper have been part of Pickford and Everton’s excellent defensive performances.
Long term Goalkeeper coach Alan Kelly retired last summer, with his place taken by Billy Mercer, and back up keeper Andy Lonergan moved on to Wigan Athletic. Sean Dyche picked up the phone and asked Begovic to return to the toffees, in what the keeper described as the big bro role. After Dyche left, David Lucas took on the role of Goalkeeper coach, and with Begovic now out of contract a new number three is needed.
Tom Heaton was called up to the England Euros squad in 2024 for this very role, so has worked with Pickford before and has plenty of experience in the role at Manchester United. He would be available on a free if Everton could tempt him away from the red devils.
Fraser Forster is another familiar face from the England set up who is available on a free this summer. He ended up playing 13 games across all competitions for Tottenham Hotspur this season despite his senior status. He would also add to the homegrown quota.
Lukasz Fabianski had been a stalwart at West Ham United, but was not favoured by Graham Potter after David Moyes left. The 40 year old, who is available on a free transfer, has turned down a move to his native Poland so as not to disrupt his family, but his links with Moyes and experience could mean a commute to Merseyside is on the cards.
Back Up in the Sticks
The back up keeper plays a slightly different role, they are competition, but also expect some game time either in cups or less critical games. This last two seasons Joao Virginia returned from loans at SC Cambuur and Sportingh to support Pickford, now he is striking out on his own and a fresh face is required. This is a much harder spot to fill as many keepers with the skill to be a reliable back up would rather play than sit on the bench.
Championship play-off losers Sheffield United have Michael Cooper young goalkeeper who will be keen to play in the premier league and catch the eye of the England set up. At seven million Euros the former Plymouth Argyle man would be cheap, compared to similar level players, such as Anthony Patterson or James Trafford, and would add to the home grown quota.
Kepa Arrizza Balaga, formerly the most expensive goalkeeper in the world, has spent his season on loan at Bournemouth. With Chelsea not really stable in their goalkeeping department he might consider another loan to provide competition with Pickford if Chelsea were willing to pay the majority of his wages. Whether he would fit in personality-wise is another question, but he could provide the impetus for Pickford to push his game further.
Ipswich’s Christian Walton rose from league one to the premier league with the tractor boys, but with only one year left on his contract and a relegation for Ipswich, the Cornishman might want more chances in the premier league to add to his seven starts last season, and has worked with Pickford as part of the England youth set up. He is valued at one million euros.
With Pickford being a key player and popular team member building a goalkeeping group around him and how he likes to work makes sense and the toffees can afford to be picky in a market where they seem to be spoilt for choice.
The attraction of working with England’s number one is sure to be a draw, as well as the new stadium and an ownership that seems to be willing to push Everton forwards.