The rumour mill at GoalZaza has caught wind of a fascinating subplot brewing on Merseyside. Everton are reportedly preparing to test the waters for So...
The rumour mill at GoalZaza has caught wind of a fascinating subplot brewing on Merseyside. Everton are reportedly preparing to test the waters for Southampton's Aaron Ramsdale, a 28 year old Premier League shot stopper who, it seems, has recently been snubbed by Newcastle United. The logic here is not immediately obvious to the casual observer, but peel back the layers and you will find a clever piece of squad management from the Toffees' hierarchy.Jordan Pickford has been the undisputed number one at Goodison Park for some time now. His performances, especially under the high pressure of a relegation scrap, have been nothing short of heroic. Yet every top side needs a genuine challenger behind the starter. Pickford thrives on the edge, on the adrenaline of being the main man. But does a club that has flirted with the drop as often as Everton can afford to have a backup who is not ready to step in and command the box Ramsdale, for all his ups and downs at Arsenal and now Southampton, has proven he can handle the glare of the Premier League. He is a vocal presence, comfortable with the ball at his feet, and crucially, he is still at an age where his best years should be ahead of him.This move, if it materialises, is not about replacing Jordan Pickford. It is about lighting a fire under him. It is about giving Sean Dyche or whoever is in the dugout come August a genuine tactical flexibility in goal. Pickford's distribution can be erratic when pressed; Ramsdale offers a more measured, sometimes riskier, short passing game. Could we see a rotation based on the opposition's press It is a tantalising thought. The Saints keeper will be desperate to prove he is not just a cup goalkeeper, and Everton, having missed out on other targets, see an opportunity to secure a proven Premier League ace for a fee that might be far more palatable than the sums bandied about in January.The real question is ambition. Can Everton sell a project to Ramsdale After a season of survival football, the idea of fighting for a starting spot against a England international might not be the most glamorous proposition. But for a lad who has been through the wringer at the Emirates and has the taste of a World Cup squad on his lips, the promise of regular top flight action at a giant club might be exactly the fresh start he needs. It is a gamble, but one that reeks of smart business rather than a panic buy. Goodison Park is about to get very interesting between the sticks. Let's see if Ramsdale is ready for the fight.
