‘Stay with us and become England’s No.1’
DAVID MOYES has told Jordan Pickford he can still be England’s No. 1 if he sticks with Sunderland.
Moyes is braced for summer bids for the Three Lions Under-21 keeper, regardless of whether the Black Cats can pull off another great escape from relegation.
Everton – formerly managed by Moyes – are the latest Premier League side to target Pickford, who has also attracted interest from the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Pickford, 22, made his comeback in Sunderland’s 2-0 defeat at Everton eight days ago after being out for two months with a knee injury.
And Moyes insisted: “We’ve no interest in selling Jordan.
“I’ve said many times that, on the road to building clubs, sometimes you have to sell people. But I would hope it’s not Jordan because he has really been exceptional.
“That’s why I think most people are looking at him as one of the brightest, up-and-coming young talents around.
“But the best thing for Jordan is to keep progressing, and what he has done here is show he can become an England goalkeeper playing for Sunderland.’’
Moyes’ side host Manchester City today, and he compares Pickford to England keeper Joe Hart, who suffered rejection when Etihad boss Pep Guardiola let him join Torino on a season’s loan.
“I think Jordan has a really good attitude and I know Joe has, too – workmanlike and wanting to improve,” said Moyes.
“I hope Jordan goes on to have as good a career as Joe.’’
Moyes hopes City, who hit five in both of their last two games, have “used up’’ their goals.
He was there to see City’s dramatic 5-3 home win over Monaco in the Champions League and said: “I thought I’d been watching football till I went to see Man City-Monaco.
“You could even hear the sound of the players’ boots on ball – it was like a fine-tuned orchestra the way they connected with the ball.’’
Moyes dismisses the idea that Guardiola is fazed by the Premier League, adding: “He’s a real football man. He studies his football and knows it inside out. But it’s a tough league. There are no easy games.”