We all know Monsieur Salut’s football-playing younger daughter Nathalie is not a Sunderland fan. OK, she quite likes us, maybe we’re her second team. She’s been dragged to see us a few times in her life. But her allegiance is Liverpool mainly because as a kid, she fancied John Barnes. So, what now for Jordan Pickford? We’ve all seen the crazy prices – crazily low as well as high – but what would you be happy to pay for him if your club was not Sunderland? ….
One of the few glimmers of positivity that Sunderland have had this season has been the emergence of Jordan Pickford.
Vito Mannone had established himself as the number 1 at the start of the season and, in truth, had performed well until injury ruled him out of several games.
Pickford was brought in and has done so well that he is being touted as a future England goalkeeper. Liverpool have been linked with him as well as other teams.
Pickford is a player who has gone through the youth academy structure, joining at the age of eight and signed his first professional contract with the club at 17. He has since been loaned to various lower league clubs to gain experience and finally made his Sunderland first team debut on January 16 2016 in an FA Cup tie against Arsenal.
He was nominated this season for the PFA Young Player of the Year award, though he didn’t get, as well as scooping the Sunderland Young Player of the Year award.
Transfer fees suggested have been as high as £30 million.
That would be fantastic business for Sunderland should it materialise.
However as a Liverpool fan I would not be happy for us to spend so much on Pickford. He looks to be a great prospect and Liverpool are suffering in the goalkeeping department. I guess I am just wary of over paying after we spent £35 million on Andy Carroll.
I think the media have a habit of overrating players after a good first season. I think if a player can keep up consistent good form for more than a season, then the money is probably worth it but it is too soon to say after a season (for any player) to spend that kind of money.
I do think in Pickford’s case he should be worth a large amount though because he is so young, but £30m is a stretch too far.
Even so, given the state of today’s market, I can see a team paying that for him. Possibly Arsenal, Liverpool or even Manchester Utd if De Gea left as seems likely. And if that happened, good for Sunderland and one can only hope Moyes spends the money wisely.
I can try and d
“one can only hope Moyes spends the money wisely”. nOT A CHANCE.