England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has called on Everton to aim for Champions League football and a first trophy since 1995. The 31-year-old, speaking ahead of Monday's match against Manchester United, highlighted recent successes of other clubs as inspiration. He expressed commitment to the club through a recent contract extension until 2029.
Jordan Pickford, Everton's England goalkeeper, believes the club can realistically qualify for the Champions League or win a trophy next season. At 31, he has been central to the team's efforts to avoid relegation in recent years, but he points to achievements by other mid-table sides as evidence of potential. Crystal Palace won the FA Cup and earned European qualification, while Newcastle ended a 70-year trophy drought with the League Cup, and Nottingham Forest secured a European spot, nearly reaching Champions League contention last season.
Everton's last major trophy was the 1995 FA Cup, and their most recent European campaign ended in failure in the 2017 Europa League group stage against Atalanta, Lyon, and Apollon Limassol. Pickford joined in 2017 when the club was still in Europe and emphasized its rich history. "When I joined (in 2017) we were in Europe, we know the fantastic history of Everton Football Club, a lot of trophies won, a lot of titles won, and it’s how do we now create our own history as players?" he said ahead of the Manchester United visit.
He added, "We’ve seen Crystal Palace winning the FA Cup and getting into Europe, Notts Forest getting into Europe – I know they’re not having the best of seasons but they were close to getting Champions League football last season – and Newcastle winning the League Cup when they’ve not won a trophy for a long time. The opportunities are there, it’s about taking them and grasping them with both hands when you get that opportunity because you might only get that one final in your career – you make sure you take it as a club and you’ll be remembered as a legend."
Pickford signed a contract extension in October, committing to 2029, despite questions over staying at a club not at the elite level. "It’s just a great club for me," he said. "Everton have been so loyal to me and we’ve got that relationship and that connection with the fans." He expressed a desire to play Champions League football with Everton, noting the ownership's efforts to build the club, though it may not happen immediately.