Jordan Pickford has been one of the few positives that have come out of a very forgettable season for Sunderland. His presence between the sticks for the Black Cats this season was exceptional. However, it was not enough to save the season for Sunderland as they are confirmed to be relegated to Championship football in the next season.
Reportedly, Manchester City has been interested in bringing the English international to their team for their next season. However, he might have to stay as a reserve goalkeeper and might not get a chance ahead of first choice goalkeepers Claudio Bravo and Willy Caballero.
It has not been a good season for Manchester City from their defensive perspective including goalkeeping. Pep Guardiola, the current coach of the club, who came in last summer from the German champions Bayern Munich to take charge at the Etihad Stadium, was sceptical regarding the goalkeeping of Joe Hart, the then number one goalkeeper of Manchester City. He went on to send him on loan to Italian club Torino and brought in the Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo from his former club Barcelona in the same transfer window.
However, the move has deemed to be a rather ineffective one so far, as the current number one Bravo has been struggling between the crossbars for the Citizens and has failed to make a mark in the present season. Willy Caballero’s goalkeeping is also not up to the mark and he has been deployed occasionally by the Spanish manager.
Guardiola has been searching for a better solution for his team’s goalkeeping woes for the next season, and Pickford might be the right one to completely fit his bill.
The present manager of Sunderland- David Moyes has said recently that the England goalkeeper is one of the finest talent he has ever seen and can play for any Premier League club on any given day. However, he has also suggested that it will not be wise for the 23-year old shot-stopper to be a part of a team where he will not get the chance to have regular outings on the pitch. He has also said that the club will try its level best to keep the goalkeeper with them in the next season despite its relegation from the Premier League.
It is a common trend for key players to leave clubs when they get relegated from top flight football. Now it is to be seen whether Jordan Pickford decides to go with the flow or stay back with Black Cats for the next season as well for their Championship campaign.
