‘They’ve got a great boss in Grayson’
JORDAN Pickford declared himself ‘over the moon’ with Sunderland’s appointment of Simon Grayson.
The young goalkeeper knows Grayson well, having spent half a season on loan at Preston under the new Black Cats manager.
Pickford departed Sunderland before Grayson’s arrival, becoming the most expensive British goalkeeper in history with his £30 million move to Everton earlier this summer, but he says Sunderland have picked a great manager. Revealing what supporters can expect, the 23-year-old told the club website: “I went to Preston on loan under Simon Grayson to try and become the best ‘keeper I can be.
“It was a massive help for me and when I saw the appointment I was over the moon for the club.
“He’s a great man-manager and the fans have really taken to him. He plays a good style of football and I think he’s exactly what Sunderland needed. He’ll be great for the club.”
Pickford made 27 appearances for North End in the first half of the 2015-16 campaign before being recalled by then Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce. He impressed at Deepdale and was then handed his Sunderland debut in an FA Cup defeat to Arsenal before making his Premier League debut against Tottenham.
Last term he became the club’s number one, taking his opportunity after Vito Mannone injured his elbow early in the campaign. He would play a starring role in an otherwise dull campaign on Wearside and was voted Supporters’ Young Player of the Year. Speaking last season about the loan to Preston, he said: “The loan move to Preston North End last season was massive for me and every loan move I have been on has helped me develop.
“You might be technically good, but going on loan helps your development and your understanding of the game. You become more mature.
“Playing every Saturday at 3pm is massive; there is no better feeling than playing.”
His future is away from Wearside now, and he is likely to be Everton’s number one next season. The Toffees have made a huge statement so far in this summer’s transfer window and are Europe’s biggest spenders at this stage.