Jordan Pickford to Chelsea transfer verdict as Enzo Maresca given £70m instruction

Chelsea have been told they should not sign Jordan Pickford and instead go for his Everton teammate Jarrad Branthwaite. The Blues have been linked with a new goalkeeper for some time, with Robert Sanchez dividing supporters and pundits.

AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan was looked at in the summer, but ultimately Chelsea were not willing to pay over the odds for a player whose contract expires at the end of June 2026. While football.london understands Chelsea have no plans to sign a goalkeeper in the January transfer window, rumours surrounding potential goalkeeper signings refuse to go away.

Former Premier League striker Darren Bent this week urged Enzo Maresca's side to sign Toffees shotstopper Pickford. “He’s settled there [at Everton]. If Chelsea come calling, why not," Bent told TalkSPORT. "But they might not. That’s the problem.”

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Now, Chelsea legend Pat Nevin has had his say and believes his former side should instead sign defender Branthwaite. Valued at around £70million by Everton, the 23-year-old is capable of playing centre-back and left-back and his performances at Everton over the past couple of seasons have seen his stock grow.

Speaking to OLBG, Nevin said: “You're asking the right and the wrong person (about Jordan Pickford to Chelsea). I love Everton, it was the team I played for a long time. I've got real feelings for Chelsea, obviously.

“I would hate to see Jordan Pickford going to Chelsea, because I think he is the absolute rock. I think Chelsea would be a better fit to get in Jarrad Branthwaite.

“I think that would be better suited, he's the right age, he's an absolute top-class player. Obviously there's been an injury this season.

“I think anyone would take him, I've said that for a year now, Branthwaite's absolutely incredible. He ticks every single box for Chelsea. So yeah, you may look at Pickford because he's the England goalkeeper and he's really good etc. If I was running Chelsea, it's Branthwaite I'd be looking for.”