Sean Dyche is expecting Jordan Pickford to stay at Everton this summer amid rumours about the England international’s future.
The Toffees look set to remain in the Premier League for another season despite their eight-point deduction for breaching profit and sustainability rules.
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With the high-profile sanctions and new stadium on the way, assumptions have been made that suggest the club will have to sell one or two of their top assets to avoid a repeat of their current situation in the future.
But Dyche – who has turned Everton into a sturdy side – has no worries that his star goalkeeper will leave.
Speaking ahead of the clash against Luton on Friday, he said: “I think he is genuinely happy here.
“He seems to me when I speak to him, his family life is settled, he is settled in as part of the fabric of Everton. That is an important factor.
“He is still England’s No1. He is in a healthy place for himself and for I think his life meets his professional life.
4️⃣ clean sheets in April! ⛔️🔥@JPICKFORD1 has been rightly nominated for the latest #PL Player of the Month award. ⤵️
— Everton (@Everton) MAY 2, 2024
“There is always a balance. If players are settled in what their life is and with the club, that is a really good situation and he certainly seems so to me.”
Pickford has been a standout performer once again for the Merseyside club this season, keeping 12 clean sheets.
He has been at the club since 2017 and will mark 10 years on Merseyside if he sees out his contract, which runs until 2027.
The 30-year-old is likely to be a key man for England at Euro 2024 and Dyche had nothing but praise for the 60-cap international.
He added: “He has delivered performances, especially important performances.
“He has had a couple of things go against him which can happen as a keeper, he handles that side of it well, stays focused on the job in hand.
“He has shown that in key moments rather than just performances because I must say there is a team in front of him which works very hard and I think he believes in that team.”
