TAKE YOUR PICK BUT TAKE CARE
DAVID MOYES insists Jordan Pickford has the world at his feet.
But the Sunderland boss has not ruled out the £15million-rated keeper staying at the Stadium of Light next season.
Moyes (right) is convinced “hands down” in-demand England Under-21 star Pickford should be the PFA’s young player of the year.
And that is despite Tottenham’s Dele Alli being the overwhelming favourite to retain the coveted award. Pickford (top) has kept four clean sheets in 25 appearances and is on the six-man shortlist after an impressive first full season in the Premier League.
His heroics have alerted a host of top clubs – including Manchester City and Arsenal – as the Black Cats prepare to cash in on their prize asset ahead of almost certain relegation. Moyes expects the 23-year-old to have his pick of destinations in the summer.
However, he warned the young Wearsider to make his next move carefully – and consider another season at his hometown club, even in the Championship.
The Scot said: “I’ve been banging on all year about Jordan, about how I think he’s the best emerging young talent.
“There are others who are terrific, like Dele Alli, but Jordan should win young player hands down because he’s been that good.
“He’s good enough to play for just about any club – but he can’t afford a year when he’s not playing.
“It would be a backward step if he wasn’t going to be a No.1 keeper, so he needs to keep playing.”
Adnan Januzaj is expected to return to face West Ham this afternoon.
The on-loan Manchester United midfielder was ineligible against his parent club last week as rockbottom Sunderland recorded a seventh straight game without a goal – a run stretching for 675 minutes to leave them 10 points adrift of safety. The Belgian international has endured a miserable campaign.
But Moyes insists Januzaj will be a success wherever he goes next. He said: “Adnan’s an incredibly talented footballer.
“He’s not performed as well as we’d hoped but maybe there are other reasons for that.
“I don’t know what the plans are for him at United, but there will be a host of teams who’ll want him.”