Everton are yet to win a Premier League game this season and Jordan Pickford is under pressure for that.
The Toffees have endured a torrid start to the season and sit bottom of the table, separated from winless Southampton by goal difference.
It’s not just the results that have gone against the Merseyside club. The nature of some of their losses, including blowing back-to-back 2-0 leads, has left Sean Dyche fighting for his job.
And according to recent reports, the 53-year-old is so desperate to turn around his team’s fortunes that he is considering letting go of one of his most important players.
Sean Dyche could leave Jordan Pickford
Goalkeeper Pickford has already conceded 13 league goals this season and is arguably in the worst form of his career.
The Sun claim the 30-year-old is at risk of losing his place with an “unhappy” Dyche considering replacing him in the January transfer window.
Newcastle United’s Nick Pope, a player Dyche has extensive experience working on following their time together at Burnley, has become the Everton manager’s favorite target.
The Magpies’ position on losing their number 1 mid-season is unknown, but it’s fair to assume Eddie Howe would prefer the club to keep the 32-year-old.
For Pickford, these latest reports will be a huge concern, not only is his national career at stake, but his position within the England squad is also at risk, and even more so now that Gareth Southgate has left his role of coach.
Everton host fellow strugglers Southampton in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night. The match between Dyche and Russell Martin, albeit in a second-tier Cup competition, feels very important in the race for avoid becoming the first Premier League manager to be sacked.
Top photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
