Jordan Pickford is proof why new Everton contract makes perfect sense

With all the focus on Everton’s fight for survival, supporters will have been forgiven for not paying attention to the club’s latest contract news.

But following a report by The Athletic on Friday morning, Frank Lampard confirmed in his pre-Brentford press conference that Everton have extended Asmir Begovic’s contract. The Blues have taken up the option of extending the goalkeeper’s deal for a second year.

Begovic joined the Blues on a free transfer last summer from Bournemouth. His one-year deal included the option for a second and, as the club heads into the final week of the season, Lampard confirmed they had agreed to retain the 34-year-old until 2023.

On paper, this is what many Everton supporters would probably describe as a nothing deal. The club’s back-up veteran goalkeeper putting pen-to-paper isn’t the sort of deal that has fans shouting from the rooftops.

But in terms of Everton’s performance, then it is a very big one. In recent weeks, Jordan Pickford has seemingly been on a one-man mission to keep Everton in the Premier League.

Pickford delivered yet another superb performance in goal for the Blues as they beat Leicester City at the King Power last weekend. The England international made a string of impressive stops, including a world-class save to deny Harvey Barnes from close-range.

That performance came just a week after a match-winning contribution against Chelsea at Goodison Park. The 1-0 win over Thomas Tuchel’s side will be remembered for what many Blues supporters have described as the best save they have ever seen live.

After Mason Mount’s shot beat a diving Pickford and bounced off the inside of one post and on to the other before falling into the path of Cesar Azpilicueta, it looked like a