Last week marked 16 years since Jordan Pickford’s festive spirit was dampened by a demoralising trip to Goodison Park to watch boyhood club Sunderland.
This might be Pickford’s favourite time of the year but strikes from Mikel Arteta and Dan Gosling, either side of a Danny Collins own goal, ensured a comfortable home win for Everton – and a long journey back to the north east for 14-year-old Pickford, who made the journey as an away supporter.
Needless to say, plenty has changed since then.
Pickford, with the aid of six separate loan spells, broke through the ranks to make his senior bow for the Black Cats before a switch to the Blues, where he has since amassed 73 caps for England and, now unquestionably, proved himself as one of the best-ever goalkeepers produced by the nation.
He has a family of his own – wife Megan, son Arlo, five, and daughter Ostara, one, which, the Blues goalkeeper believes, has sparked the magic of Christmas all over again.
“I’ve always really enjoyed Christmas a lot,” explains Pickford, who says a pair of sought-after football boots his parents managed to find him and his brother was his favourite childhood gift. “Obviously, now, it’s all about the kids. It’s an exciting time when you’re a kid, isn’t it? And I love giving presents, so it’s a big thing in our house.”
The Pickfords’ busy festive schedule, naturally, revolves around football.
And Everton’s No.1 is keen to do all he can to give his football-obsessed son better memories at Goodison Park than his own all those years ago.
“Growing up, I remember football being on, as it always is at this time of year, but I didn’t go to many games myself until I was 13 or 14,” he says. “It’s special now to be able to have my family come and watch me and it be part of it.
“My lad, Arlo, loves it. He gets it, you know. If we don’t get a result it ruins his day – he’ll be in tears!
“He knows all of the Everton chants. Meg tells me how much he gets into it and will sing along with the chants.
“He’s passionate about football, which is great. He loves playing it out and going to watch the Premier League games as well.”
As we approach new year, Pickford is not one to spend time reflecting on what has been.
Instead, the focus will be on what there is to look forward to in 2025 and beyond, including fresh starts on a number of fronts.
“I never reflect… I’ve never been good at reflecting,” admits the 30-year-old. “For me, it’s all about moving forward. I’m more interested in looking at what’s ahead of me and in football terms, that’s just the next game.”
The immediate future at Club level involves playing a part in the final chapter of Goodison Park, after more than 132 years of decorated history at Everton’s current home.
The significance of that is not lost on Pickford, a player who continues to relish any opportunity to soak up football history, and someone who has grown to deeply understand the ways and values of Evertonians.
“I’ve been here for a long time now, and I know Evertonians – what they’re like, what they’re about,” he explains.
“Obviously, there is so much history at Goodison, in terms of winning titles and other trophies. That’s not something we’ve been able to achieve but, of course, to be able to play in the stadium for its final year, that’ll last forever, really, and it means something to me.”
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To be able to play in the stadium for its final year, that’ll last forever, really, and it means something to me
Jordan Pickford
Pickford’s quality and consistency was acknowledged again by supporters over the summer, with the goalkeeper named the Club’s Player of the Season for the third consecutive year.
Heading into Christmas, only Arsenal (17) had kept more clean sheets than Everton (14) this calendar year, while, in a goalless draw against Chelsea earlier this month, Pickford recorded his 78th league shut-out for the Blues, lifting him to fourth in the Club’s all-time standings, with only Neville Southall (197), Gordon West (124) and Tim Howard (116) ahead of him.
“I give 100 per cent each game – that’s what Evertonians demand of every player – and I’ll always give that,” he insists. “I think I’ve got a great relationship with the fans and it’s about giving them something to cheer about, which is what we want to do.
“The main word I’d use to describe the relationship is passion. I feel like I’m very passionate, and they’re very passionate, too.
“I just want to be at my best week-in, week-out, show my best and keep helping the team in every way possible.”
Looking ahead, with a move to Everton Stadium now very much visible on the horizon, as well as a new ownership group after The Friedkin Group’s acquisition of the Club was confirmed earlier this month, it feels like a new chapter in Pickford’s journey is just beginning.
“Having been able to see it for myself, I think the new stadium is going to be amazing,” he smiles. “I know a lot of Evertonians who are passionate about the history of the Club and how much Goodison has been part of that but this is a new chapter.
“It’s going to be about us enjoying taking on that challenge and creating our own memories there. I think it’s going to be a great thing for the Club.
“Then, with the new owners coming in, I’ve always said that’s not much to do with us as players but it feels like a fresh start for the Club as a whole.
“Obviously, my part of that is doing my bit and contributing on the pitch. I’ve still got two years left on my contract after this one, so, 100 per cent, I am looking forward to moving in and hopefully playing my part in getting us moving upwards.”
Similarly, on the international stage, Pickford is facing another new beginning.
Only fellow goalkeepers Howard (93) and Southall (91) have been handed more international caps than Pickford’s 73 as an Everton player (Seamus Coleman also has 73 for the Republic of Ireland).
All of those senior international appearances came under manager Gareth Southgate, who left his position as Three Lions boss over the summer after a slender defeat in the Euro 2024 final to Spain.
Thomas Tuchel, who has won a host of club honours during spells with Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich, will officially take over the managerial reins from next week and, typically, Pickford is clear-minded when it comes to outlining his next steps.
“Like before, I have to perform for Everton every time I go out on the pitch,” he insists. “We had such a good run with Gareth but things change in football and now there’s a new manager coming in and a new journey – so there’s new things there, too.
“I’ve not spoken to the new manager yet, but I hope I will do at some point soon.
“We’ve got one objective at England. First and foremost, we need to get qualified for the World Cup – but then it’s about going one step further than we’ve been a couple of times in recent years and winning a title.”
