Everton

Everton

Premier League • England

Everton left disappointed in Pickford successor hunt as star decides next club

Jordan Pickford Everton

Everton will be left disappointed in their attempt to make Yahia Fofana the successor to Jordan Pickford in goal, according to a report.

21-year-old Fofana came through Le Havre’s academy before making his first-team debut in the 2019-20 campaign. After four displays in the whole of last season, Fofana has now made himself Le Havre’s number one.

The Frenchman, who represents his country’s U19 setup, has featured in all but one of the club’s Ligue 2 fixtures this term. He has kept nine clean sheets in that time, earning admirers from elsewhere.

Fofana is showing maturity despite being towards the start of his career. He is already one of Le Havre’s most valuable players, worth £1.35million according to transfermarkt, and looks set to join a bigger club in the near future.

According to Sport Witness, who cite French outlet L’Equipe, Fofana has been on Everton’s radar for some time. The Toffees are one of several European teams tracking his progress. Fiorentina, Lazio and Dortmund are the other clubs to hold an interest.

Everton wanted Fofana to become Pickford’s understudy at Goodison Park. However, the manager-less Premier League outfit have failed to launch a bid in time.

Rooney and Lampard to be interviews for Everton job

Rooney and Lampard to be interviews for Everton job

Everton are looking for their new manager with Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard set to be interviewed for the position

Fofana will move to the French top flight once his contract expires in the summer, after agreeing to join Angers.

The starlet has sorted out a four-year deal with the side, who sit 12th in Ligue 1 after 20 games. He will likely become their first-choice shot-stopper after Paul Bernardoni’s loan switch to Saint-Etienne earlier this month.

Pickford is not the only keeper on Everton’s books, as they can also rely on Asmir Begovic and Andy Lonergan. But with the latter two players in the twilight years of their careers, the Merseyside team could probably do with a younger option.


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Wayne Rooney told to avoid Everton switch

Meanwhile, Derby County boss Wayne Rooney should avoid taking the Everton job, according to former team-mate Mikael Silvestre.

According to The Telegraph, the Toffees are preparing to interview their former star about replacing Rafa Benitez. Frank Lampard is also under consideration.

But Rooney’s former Manchester United team-mate Silvestre thinks it is too early for the Englishman to manage in the Premier League.

“Rooney isn’t ready for the Everton job – he needs more time to develop as a manager,” the former defender said (via the Daily Mail).

“He should give himself more time – opportunities like this might not ever come back, so that’s something to consider.

“It’s still early doors, he’s done a good job at Derby despite the circumstances. But my advice would be to keep learning his craft and learning about himself before going into the hot seat.

“He is a very young manager, still playing not long ago. Jobs like this will come in the future if he carries on like this because his name is huge in the Premier League.”

READ MORE: Jose Mourinho stance on Everton job emerges as two Portuguese compatriots join shortlist