The Sunderland goalkeeper is reportedly on Everton’s radar and this doesn’t bode well for Joel.
Joel Robles has certainly been playing like a man worthy of a new contract. The long-time understudy is finally Everton’s undisputed number one after ousting the error-prone Maarten Stekelenberg in December and the club has lost just once in the league since, the Liverpool Echo reports.
That the only defeat came on Sunday against a purring Tottenham Hotspur, whose second goal came courtesy of Joel’s ill-fated decision to play out from the back, should not overshadow what has been the Spaniard’s most impressive run of form since arriving in English football with Wigan Athletic in 2013.
Therefore, you’d assume the decision to award Joel with a new contract, as his current deal expires next summer, would be something of a no-brainer for the Everton chiefs. After all, the goalkeeper has admitted to the Liverpool Echo that remaining at Goodison Park is his top priority.
“I want to stay here as many years as possible. Everton is like a home for me after four seasons,” Joel said.
“My contract will expire next season but I’m not worried. We have not spoken about anything yet but my first choice will be [to stay] at Everton.
“I have it very clear and I will not leave until the club tell me that they don’t want me here. If they tell me that I will pack the suitcases and leave but I have very clear that priority is to stay at Everton.”
The sight of Joel packing up his things and departing across Stanley Park with a knapsack slung over his shoulder doesn’t sit right considering his recent heroics. Yet, burgeoning transfer speculation suggests that the 26-year-old could be forced out of Goodison Park against his wishes.
The Mirror report that Everton have their eyes on Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, the impressive, locally-sourced youngster hotly tipped to one day replace Joe Hart in the national team.
Meanwhile, Stephane Ruffier of St Etienne, Premier League champion Kasper Schmeichel and Genk’s Croatian shot-stopper Lovre Kalinic have also been linked in other publications.
However, Joel has proven that he deserves first-team football and can be trusted between the sticks at Everton. His reputation means fans and pundits appear to be waiting for an error but the consistency of displays suggest he’s turned a corner.
Therefore, instead of splurging a huge fee on a shot-stopper a la Pickford, maybe all Everton need to do is improve Joel’s wages.
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