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Everton looking at ex-Arsenal keeper to challenge Pickford

By Matt Townsend

FLORENCE, ITALY - APRIL 25: Wojcieh Szczesny of Juventus in action during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Juventus at Stadio Artemio Franchi on April 25, 2021 in Florence, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
FLORENCE, ITALY - APRIL 25: Wojcieh Szczesny of Juventus in action during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Juventus at Stadio Artemio Franchi on April 25, 2021 in Florence, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) /
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Stories today make the claim that Everton are considering a summer move for the former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesney.

While the focus of the upcoming transfer window for Everton should be strengthening the attacking quality of the team, there have been persistent questions and uncertainty over the goalkeeping position.

Over the past few seasons there have been increasing issues with incumbant Jordan Pickford’s form and erractic performances and a growing sense that perhaps he’s not the right man for the role.

This was particularly the case over the last eighteen months or so as Pickford’s failings became increasingly costly to the Toffees.

So addressing this was seen as an important issue in last summer’s transfer window along with all the other areas of the team in need of improvement.

It didn’t look like the Blues would be bringing in another stopper until on deadline day came news of a move for Manchester United reserve Sergio Romero but this fell through and instead Everton went for Roma’s Robin Olsen.

Olsen’s arrival made a difference and Pickford’s form has been better over the past six months or so. The England keeper, who I and many others have often criticised, has been much-improved this season and Olsen too has generally been pretty reliable as well when called on.

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Olsen seemed to enjoy his time at Goodison Park and there was talk of him making his loan move a permanent one.

However, he suffered a horrific house invasion and that understandably made him reconsider whether he would decide to stay on Merseyside.

Now the Polish keeper who played for Arsenal recently is the latest one to be linked to a move to Everton, presumably if Olsen does leave.

Obviously Szczesny is very experienced and knows the Premier League well so would be a very strong replacement for the Swede and huge competition for Pickford for the starting jersey.

However, again this one doesn’t seem a very likely story as it would appear Carlo Ancelotti has ruled out any such move given that Pickford has improved and Olsen is a good fit to be the number two and is probably going to stay. And of course there are other more immediate and urgent areas of the team that need addressing.

If Olsen does though leave, the Blues will need to look for a good quality second keeper to maintain that pressure on Pickford next season, especially if Joao Virginia goes on loan.

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