Frank Lampard has stated that Tottenham Hotspur transfer target, Jordan Pickford, has been a ‘leader’ for Everton during their pre-season preparations, as he told Toffee TV.
The Everton boss shared that the 28-year-old is a ‘God-send’ to him because of what he produces out on the pitch for his side.
That was proven during the 2021/22 Premier League season when the Toffees survived relegation by the skin of their teeth and Pickford produced some outstanding performances.
The England international’s display during Everton’s 1-0 win over Lampard’s former side Chelsea was probably a standout, but it was another example of the player standing up when it mattered most.
Lampard touched upon those qualities Pickford has in his locker and the leadership skills that are growing within his game, with Everton losing their most-recent pre-season game 2-0 to Arsenal.
“We all know the season he had last year, especially towards the run-in,” said Lampard. “It’s a God-send for me to have a goalkeeper of that level playing the way he does because it’s critical to results.
“I have been on the reverse of that when sometimes you feel like you are defending well and you haven’t got that presence in goal. Jordan has that presence and he’s also a leader within the group now.
“He’s maturing all the time and it’s absolutely deserved (wearing captain’s armband during pre-season).”
PICKFORD ON TOTTENHAM’S TRANSFER RADAR
France’s number one and World Cup winning star, Hugo Lloris, is the main man between Tottenham’s sticks, but he is set to turn 36 later on this year.
That means Spurs will be looking for a long-term goalkeeper sooner rather than later, with summer signing Fraser Forster one year younger than Lloris.
But it does seem as though the Champions League side are planning for the long-term and they have targeted Pickford as a potential transfer capture down the line.
Everton have already sold one of their star men, Richarlison, to the north London club, with the club’s financial matters not helping.
If and when Tottenham come knocking for Pickford, those on Merseyside will be hoping they are in a better position, especially their financial state to turn down any advances, which they couldn’t do with Richarlison this summer.
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