Joel Robles was finally Everton’s first choice ‘keeper for an extended period last season but it appears he will leave Goodison Park this summer.
When Maarten Stekelenberg was forced off with injury in the Merseyside derby clash with Liverpool before Christmas, Joel Robles was finally given a chance to stake his claim under Ronald Koeman.
And it looked as if he had seized his chance in style. The Spaniard kept eight clean sheets in his next 12 Premier League outings and looked to have secured his place as the club’s first choice ‘keeper after years of bench warming.
Joel Robles featured more times for Everton last season than ever before
But then came Jordan Pickford, arriving as the third most expensive goalkeeper in history from Sunderland. And the Liverpool Echo report that Vitesse Arnhem shot-stopper Eloy Room could follow the Wearside-born glovesman to Goodison Park.
Suddenly, Joel could go from first choice to third in a matter of weeks. Or, more likely, he will leave Everton this summer.
Marca report that the former Wigan Athletic goalkeeper, brought to Goodison Park by Roberto Martinez, has rejected a new contract at Everton and could return to Spain this summer. Malaga, Deportivo, Las Palmas and Getafe are all reportedly keen.
And you could hardly criticise Joel’s decision to look elsewhere. After all, he has only started 39 Premier League games in his four years at the club, almost half of those coming when Stekelenberg was out injured in the second half of last season.
Furthermore, Pickford’s arrival would have left him in no doubt that the bench may have beckoned again. And reports that Koeman is now looking at Room, one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the Eredivisie could be the final straw that only reinforces Joel’s decision to leave.
Eloy Room has been at Vitesse since 2008
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