Sean Dyche 'considering surprise Nick Pope swoop' amid Jordan Pickford struggles (original) (raw)

England No.1 Jordan Pickford has endured a wretched start to the new Premier League season, with Everton conceding a whopping 13 goals and losing all four games

Jordan Pickford's starting role for Everton is at risk

Everton boss Sean Dyche will bid to reunite with Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope if the struggling Jordan Pickford doesn't turn his form around.

England No.1 Pickford has been part of an Everton side who've lost all four Premier League games this season, conceding 13 goals along the way. Saturday's late 3-2 defeat away to Aston Villa saw the Toffees throw away a two-goal lead for the second game in a row and leaves them rooted to the foot of the table.

Despite an impressive Euro 2024 campaign with England, Pickford has come into the season far from his best and his previously nailed-on starting role is now under threat. The Sun report that Dyche is considering dropping the 30-year-old before making an attempt to sign Pope in the January transfer window.

Although Pope, 32, has been Newcastle's first-choice goalkeeper for the past three seasons, the Magpies could be willing to part ways amid their admiration for Burnley hotshot James Trafford. Newcastle had a £16million bid rejected for the former Manchester City prospect over the summer and he's impressed on the Clarets' return to the Championship this season.

Newcastle chiefs view 21-year-old Trafford's distribution and ball-playing ability as superior to that of Pope, who became Dyche's No.1 during his latter years in charge of Burnley. The Everton manager is set to hand backup goalkeeper Joao Virginia, 24, the chance to start against Southampton on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup, and if he impresses, the Portuguese could be handed the gloves for the Toffees' next league game, as they travel to Leicester.

Dropping Pickford would be a huge call from Dyche, as the England international was named the Toffees' Player of the Year in May for the third successive season. His saves were vital as Everton managed to stay up despite an eight-point deduction.

Your turn! Would Nick Pope be an upgrade on Jordan Pickford? Join the debate in the comments section

Sean Dyche worked with Nick Pope at Burnley and remains an admirer of the Newcastle keeper (

Image:

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Dyche knows that change could be needed, though, having lamented his side's woeful start to the campaign after tasting defeat again at Villa Park. "I have spoke endlessly about both boxes, the killer instinct in both boxes. There are very small margins and we cannot get on the right side of them at the moment," he bemoaned.

"If we score that third goal the mood changes radically in the stadium. But, they get one and the mood changes. They scored a worldie to win it and we don't press as hard as we should, but they probably don't expect it. I didn't walk here blind I knew it was going to be a big challenge, it has been a bigger challenge than what I thought."

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