Newcastle United are all but safe for another season in the Premier League following a fourth consecutive victory at the weekend.
But the same cannot be said for Everton, who dropped into the bottom three after an eighth straight away defeat. And that has led to former Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Danny Murphy warning Toffees goalkeeper Jordan Pickford that his No.1 spot in Gareth Southgate ’s England side is at risk should he drop into the Championship next season.
As a result, the pundit believes that Pickford should move to Newcastle in the summer should Frank Lampard ’s side get relegated this campaign, over doubts of him being first choice goalkeeper for the Three Lions at this year’s World Cup.
Speaking on talkSPORT, as reported by Chronicle Live, Murphy admitted his concern for Pickford’s England future should he drop down to the second tier. He raised a concern that other top flight players in his position, who are playing week-in-week-out, could be more favourable under Southgate heading into Qatar 2022.
He said: "I think it would be hard for Southgate to pick a number one who is playing in the Championship. Even if he is playing well, over someone who is playing well in the Premier League. He could be putting his World Cup place in jeopardy. You have to remember if you have a couple of bad games in the Championship then you definitely can't be chosen.
"You can be forgiven a little bit in the Premier League because of the quality of the opposition you're up against. It would be a huge conundrum for Jordan if Everton were to go down. Part of him would be thinking 'stay and be loyal for a season' but if it's going to put your England place at risk, he'd have to word with Gareth."
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Everton remain one point off safety with six games to play, including a game in hand over Burnley above them, so nothing is decided yet, but it is certainly something that both Pickford and Southgate may begin thinking about sooner rather than later. When asked if there would be suitors for the 28-year-old, Murphy said: “Newcastle. Straight away, there's one."
One slight problem for both Pickford and Newcastle is that the Everton goalkeeper is a product of the Sunderland academy, the arch rivals of the Magpies. The 6ft 1in shot-stopper made 35 appearances for the Black Cats before his 2017 move to the Toffees, and has often played the pantomime villain in games against the St. James’ Park outfit.
Furthermore, the 28-year-old has been popular for attending the Tyne-Wear derby as a spectator in the Sunderland end, while he has previously been involved in minor altercations with Newcastle fans in the past during his time as an Everton player, due to his connections at the Stadium of Light. However, he wouldn’t be the first player to cross the north-east divide.
From a Magpies point of view, it is well known that they are looking to sign another goalkeeper who can provide competition for Martin Dubravka at St. James’ Park next season, although it is arguable that Pickford is already better than the Slovakian and would most likely start ahead of him.
Newcastle certainly wouldn’t struggle in finding the funds to purchase the England goalkeeper from Everton should they go down, while their geographical location is also a huge benefit to them considering his roots. Should an offer come in, it could come under serious consideration from Pickford.
And if he knows his place as England’s first-choice goalkeeper is under threat should he remain in the second tier with Everton, then he may just have to put aside his Sunderland loyalties if he wants to be the main man between the sticks as the Three Lions gun for glory in Qatar this year.
