Jack Grealisk made a recent loan switch to Everton from Manchester City and English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford gave a hard sale to ensure
Jordan Pickford admits that he was immediately on the phone for Jack Grealisk and said he “hurry up” when he first heard that there was a chance that he could go to Everton.
The playmaker of Manchester City has now completed a cross -season movement to the Toffees and made his debut in the bank in the defeat of Monday evening at Leeds. Pickford and Grealish have been together in countless English camps with their partners also good friends.
Together they helped the three lions to reach a large tournament and Pickford was desperate to reunite in the club scene. Grealish's time in Manchester seemed to be on and Everton moved to land him for the next 12 months.
Their keeper did his bit to try to get the deal over the line while spoke the benefits of a player on Merseyside. Now that the former Aston Villa man is on board, Pickford is the potential of a European indictment.
He said: “I am good friends with Jack. When Everton's rumors started, we had a few conversations. I said he would like it here, it's a good home club and a message with the messages!” When he told me it was almost all ready, I was like a 'box ticked'.
“Jack has a stature. He always smiles and lights up the place. You should see him in training, he is a top player. It is huge for Everton to sign someone like him. We have boys who have now won titles. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall won in Europe with Chelsea last season. They will follow and we have to follow.”
Everton starts their new era in the Hill Dickinson Stadium when they are confronted with Brighton on Sunday afternoon and Pickford used the success of Crystal Palace last year as a real motivator. Their FA Cup victory that shows that the big boys will not dominate forever.
“Crystal Palace who won the FA Cup last season was a good example of what can be achieved,” he said. “It is a template for us to also win silverware. Everyone knows the Gaffer and his requirements. I have had an ambition since I came to Everton to play in Europe and this is my ninth season – a paper round.”
The MerseSiders hope to further strengthen their ranks after they have agreed a £ 42 million deal with Southampton for Tyler Dibbling. The young wing player impressed the last term and wanted to stay in the top flight.
Moyes underlined the Everton ambition by admitting that landing goals – no lack of funds – has been the problem. “It is not that we don't have the money to spend, we have that, but we find it very difficult at the moment to spend the money,” he said.