‘Love playing with him’: Michael Keane raves about ‘fantastic’ £100k-a-week Everton ace

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Everton defender Michael Keane has waxed lyrical about Goodison Park teammate Jordan Pickford, in conversation with the Toffees media team.

Pickford has been an ever-present in the Everton starting XI since his move from Sunderland in 2017, clocking up 137 competitive appearances in all competitions for the Blues.

However, the Toffees custodian has come under criticism at times over the past few seasons due to errors in some of his performances.

Last Sunday, Carlo Ancelotti opted to rest Pickford for the game against Newcastle, instead naming Roma loanee Robin Olsen in the starting XI.

Such a bold call unsurprisingly led to some fans questioning Pickford’s future at the club, but Ancelotti stressed he just wanted to rest the £100,000-a-week man and give his deputy game time.

“Jordan will be back for the next game against Manchester United,” the Italian said in a quote posted on the club’s Twitter account before the game.

And Keane said he expects Pickford to be “brilliant” on his return.

“Jordan fills you with confidence when you play in front of him,” the 27-year-old told the Everton media team. “He is always talking and we know his quality as a keeper.

“He is a fantastic shot stopper and incredible with his feet, passing out from the back, which is what we like to do.

“Robin did well at Newcastle. That competition for places is good – we have it all over the pitch – and will push Jordan to keep doing what he is best at.

“I have no doubt he will be brilliant when he’s back in the team and I love playing with him.”

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Pickford is undoubtedly a great goalkeeper who has proven himself at the highest level, but Ancelotti is right to have given him a rest.

Olsen did well in Pickford’s absence, and hopefully the time out will have been beneficial for the first-choice, who hopefully will be back at his best at the weekend.