Chelsea’s Pursuit of Jordan Pickford: A Medium-Term Solution?
Chelsea’s reported interest in Everton’s Jordan Pickford has sparked debate among fans and pundits alike. The 30-year-old England number one has established himself as one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers, but his future on Merseyside looks uncertain due to Everton’s economic struggles.
According to TBR Football, Everton may need to sell talent this summer to avoid falling foul of Profit and Sustainability Rules, and Pickford could be one of the players on the way out. Chelsea’s admiration for the goalkeeper is well-documented, but it’s crucial to consider whether he’s the right fit for the Blues’ long-term plans.
Data analysis from SciSports suggests that Pickford is only a short to medium-term solution to Chelsea’s goalkeeper problem. Despite his reliability, Pickford ranks sixth among Premier League keepers, with David Raya, Ederson, Nick Pope, Allison, and Emi Martinez all boasting higher SciSkill ratings. SciSports doesn’t predict significant improvement from Pickford in the coming seasons.
If Chelsea wants to compete at the summit of the Premier League, they may need to look beyond Pickford. Unai Simon, Mike Maignan, and Lucas Chevalier are already deemed better shot-stoppers and could be long-term options.
Pickford would undoubtedly be an upgrade on Chelsea’s current goalkeeping situation, but it’s essential to consider the bigger picture. If Chelsea wants to build a team capable of challenging for titles, they need to think beyond short-term fixes and focus on long-term planning.
In conclusion, while Jordan Pickford is an excellent goalkeeper, Chelsea’s pursuit of him only makes sense if they view him as a medium-term solution. If they want to compete with the best, they need to aim higher and consider goalkeepers with more elite potential.