Pickford Eyes European Glory and Silverware for Everton
England and Everton’s star goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, has boldly declared that achieving Champions League qualification or lifting a trophy should be a realistic target for the Merseyside club. While Pickford has been a consistent performer, often finding himself embroiled in crucial relegation battles in recent seasons, he’s witnessed other clubs, like Crystal Palace and Newcastle, secure silverware and Nottingham Forest earn European berths. This perspective has fuelled his belief that Everton, a club steeped in history, can and should aspire to greater heights.
The Toffees’ last taste of major silverware was the FA Cup triumph in 1995, and their most recent European campaign in 2017 saw them falter in the Europa League group stage, failing to advance past Atalanta, Lyon, and Apollon Limassol. For a considerable period, the club’s primary focus has been on maintaining its Premier League status. However, with Newcastle ending a seven-decade trophy drought and Crystal Palace clinching their first significant silverware, Pickford feels the time is ripe for Everton to reignite its pursuit of success.
“When I joined back in 2017, we were actually in Europe,” Pickford reflected ahead of Everton’s recent clash with Manchester United. “We all know the fantastic history of Everton Football Club, the sheer volume of trophies and titles won. The question now is, how do we, as the current players, forge our own piece of that history?”
He continued, drawing parallels with other clubs’ recent achievements. “We’ve seen Crystal Palace win the FA Cup and go on to play in Europe. Nottingham Forest also qualified for Europe – and while they might not be having the best of seasons right now, they were very close to securing Champions League football last season. And let’s not forget Newcastle winning the League Cup after such a long wait for a trophy. These opportunities are out there. It’s all about seizing them and grasping them with both hands when they come your way. You never know when that one final opportunity might present itself in your career. If you take it as a club, you’re etched into history as legends.”
Pickford committed his future to Everton in October, signing a contract extension that keeps him at Goodison Park until 2029. As England’s undisputed number one, questions have been raised about why he hasn’t sought a move to a club competing at the very highest level of European football. However, the goalkeeper remains steadfast in his belief that he can achieve his ambitions at Everton, a club where he feels deeply connected.
“This is just a fantastic club for me,” Pickford explained. “Opportunities to leave might have arisen, and they might not have. I reckon the most football I’ll watch is the Champions League, so it’s something I would absolutely love to play in. But Everton has shown me so much loyalty, and we have such a strong relationship and connection with the fans.”
He elaborated on the unique bond he shares with the Everton faithful. “If you’re not a footballer, you probably wouldn’t fully understand the connection I feel with the fans. I see that as a significant bonus in itself. Of course, everyone wants to play Champions League football. The question is, why can’t we aspire to that here? It’s undoubtedly a tough ask, but opportunities do arise. It’s about us building as a club, and I genuinely believe that’s what the ownership is striving to achieve. It might not happen this season, but hopefully, in the not-too-distant future, we’ll get there.”
