‘A million times’: Coady says prior to joining Everton he told Toffees star he’s ‘incredible’

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Wolves loanee Conor Coady has hailed Everton and England number one goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, after their 2-1 win at Southampton on Saturday.

Everton’s summer signing shared that he has told Pickford ‘a million times’ before moving to Goodison Park on a season-long loan deal about how good he is, as he told BBC Sport.

The 28-year-old showcased that at St Mary’s, as Frank Lampard’s side came from behind to secure all three points against the struggling Saints.

Slowly but surely, the Toffees are starting to build something under Lampard and the mood is far different to the one that was hovering above the club when Rafa Benitez was in charge.

Two no-nonsense, experienced and composed centre-backs in James Tarkowski and Coady have played a huge part in that because, not only have they brought their own qualities to the table, but they have also lifted others around them.

Coady is used to playing alongside Pickford because the duo have been together many times before with England, as the club’s new recruit had nothing but positive words to say about the shot-stopper.

“He’s top-drawer, I’ve spoken about him a million times even before I’ve come to the club, about how incredible a keeper is,” said Coady.

“When we lose him, he’s a massive miss – when Asmir Begovic came in he did fantastic, but you saw what Jordan brought today, he’s an outstanding keeper and long may that continue for us.”

PICKFORD BECOMING AN UNDERRATED FIGURE

During his days in Everton colours, Pickford has had some seriously wobbly moments and it has put him in the spotlight of criticism.

But, for the last 18 months, on the domestic stage, all of that has now gone out of his game and he has been one of Everton’s best players.

That included helping the club survive relegation last season by winning the club’s Player of the Season award.

Add that on top of his faultless performance in England colours over the years, then Pickford is becoming an underrated figure because some still feel the need to label him with the old error-prone ways that are now past him.