Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti says he is giving Jordan Pickford a rest and he will return to face Manchester United; England goalkeeper was replaced by debutant Robin Olsen, who is on loan from Serie A side Roma
Sunday 1 November 2020 19:03, UK
Jordan Pickford was left on the bench as Everton lost 2-1 to Newcastle United at St James' Park on Sunday.
The England goalkeeper, who has endured a difficult few weeks, was replaced by debutant Robin Olsen, on loan from Serie A side Roma.
Explaining Pickford's omission in a quote posted on the club's Twitter account before the game, Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti said: "I just want to give Jordan a rest for this game and to give an opportunity to Olsen, to have minutes.
"Jordan will be back for the next game against Manchester United."
The 26-year-old has started all 120 Premier League games since joining Everton in June 2017 from Sunderland but has seen his form dip this season.
He was also fortunate not to be sent off for the challenge which left Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk needing knee surgery in the 2-2 derby draw at Goodison Park on October 17, although he later received the backing of his manager over the incident.
Pickford was spared further embarrassment at the death in that game after he failed to keep out what would have been a late winner from Jordan Henderson when a VAR check resulted in a controversial offside decision.
The Everton goalkeeper's only Premier League clean sheet this season came on the opening day at Tottenham and he has conceded two goals in four of his last five top-flight appearances.
Only Chelsea 'keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (3) has made more errors leading to shots this season while three of the nine goals he has conceded this season have been from outside the box - the most in the Premier League.
Callum Wilson scored a second-half double for Newcastle as Everton missed the chance to go top of the Premier League.
After the game Ancelotti felt Olsen had "done his job" but remained adamant Pickford would return for Everton's game against Manchester United.
Ancelotti said: "He [Olsen] did well, he's a good goalkeeper with experience and deserved to play but now Jordan will be back.
"We have two really good keepers and this is what we need. In my career, I am used to rotating the goalkeepers. It happened at Real Madrid, it happened also at Napoli.
"Olsen will play again. I don't know when - it could be in the Premier League or in the cup. He is a goalkeeper that everyone trusts.
"This doesn't mean that we don't have trust in Jordan (Pickford) - we have a lot of trust in Jordan. There's no doubt about this and next game, Jordan will be back."
Roy Keane: "I'm not his biggest fan, he makes far too many mistakes, but if the kid is suffering off the field mentally then the manager has made the right decision. Clearly he has suffered over the last few weeks from what we are led to believe, threats against him and off-the-field stuff."
Tim Cahill: "You have to think about what Pickford has been through mentally. The things l don't like as a player are some of the things that have happened off the park - the abuse he is getting. It might be the right thing for him…it will be good to see his reaction."
Jamie Redknapp: "For Pickford, it's something he needs to address. He is rash, he never looks relaxed on a football pitch. All the great goalkeepers are really calm. When you are trying to get to the level Everton are trying to get to, that's not good enough."
