Mark Travers G Bournmouth b.1999

[SkStu]

Looks like a done deal for 4M, medical today.

[EalingGreen]

Is there, any /many, managers playing with goalkeepers with poor distribution these days ?

Shay Given wouldn't be getting many games these days ~ When you consider how poor he was with the ball at his feet ~ Ok, maybe if he came through the coaching systems now, he would be a lot better, but if it was based on what he was like when he played, then he wouldn't be getting many games these days !

You make a good point, but I have a feeling that Everton are an exception to the rule, both because Moyes is a bit "old school", and also because Pickford, for all his deficiencies with his feet, is excellent in other respects and firmly established in the team.

Which is why I'm surprised at Travers going to EFC, since he'll surely only be warming the bench and he ought to be better than that, if not in the PL, at least in the Championship or a good continental team?

[elatedscum]

You make a good point, but I have a feeling that Everton are an exception to the rule, both because Moyes is a bit "old school", and also because Pickford, for all his deficiencies with his feet, is excellent in other respects and firmly established in the team.

Which is why I'm surprised at Travers going to EFC, since he'll surely only be warming the bench and he ought to be better than that, if not in the PL, at least in the Championship or a good continental team?

don't people say that Pickford is exceptional with his feet? I remember it being cited as the reason Southgate continued to pick him.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...-a8585696.html

[Eirambler]

Which is why I'm surprised at Travers going to EFC, since he'll surely only be warming the bench and he ought to be better than that, if not in the PL, at least in the Championship or a good continental team?

As we saw with Darren Randolph a few years ago, there's more money to be made as a number 2 keeper in the Premier League than as a number 1 keeper in the Championship. Randolph basically ended his club and international career from a playing perspective when he moved to West Ham. But he made a fortune in the process (not that he likely needed it given who his partner is).

This move will most likely give Travers financial security for life and give Everton a very solid backup keeper. But he will play very few games and will have no chance of competing for the number 1 jersey for Ireland.

He's not quite good enough to be a Premier League first choice keeper, both in terms of his distribution and his command of his area. Presumably he knows that and has made his decision to be a second choice and take the EPL money rather than drop back down a division and be a first choice keeper.

[elatedscum]

Pickford feels overdue an injury - think he's been at Everton for 8 years and never had a season with less than 30 starts. Normally it's him injuring players badly, rather than the other way around:

See here:

https://x.com/Jetworld/status/1907731702497067205
https://x.com/thfcesv2/status/1317432205405278208
https://x.com/MrDavidConnolly/status...138185/photo/1

[seanfhear]

Pickford feels overdue an injury - think he's been at Everton for 8 years and never had a season with less than 30 starts. Normally it's him injuring players badly, rather than the other way around:

See here:

https://x.com/Jetworld/status/1907731702497067205
https://x.com/thfcesv2/status/1317432205405278208
https://x.com/MrDavidConnolly/status...138185/photo/1

I was just going to make a similar remark re; Pickford, and not wishing any injury on any player, but it can happen.

Also when you consider that Pickford is a bit of a, head-the-ball / header, tis kind of surprising that he hasn't been injured ( that much ) himself or been injured ~ God must love, head-the-balls / headers ! !

It is said that Lyndon Johnson did the research re; American Presidents dying in office before he accepted the role of Vice-Presidential candidate to JFK ? !

[EalingGreen]

don't people say that Pickford is exceptional with his feet? I remember it being cited as the reason Southgate continued to pick him.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...-a8585696.html

I stand corrected, then.

I think I may have been influenced by seeing him caught out a couple of times with the ball at his feet and conceding etc. Maybe that was overconfidence, rather than lack of confidence?

[tetsujin1979]

I was just going to make a similar remark re; Pickford, and not wishing any injury on any player, but it can happen.

Also when you consider that Pickford is a bit of a, head-the-ball / header, tis kind of surprising that he hasn't been injured ( that much ) himself or been injured ~ God must love, head-the-balls / headers ! !

It is said that Lyndon Johnson did the research re; American Presidents dying in office before he accepted the role of Vice-Presidential candidate to JFK ? !

Is it? I've never seen that. I'd like to.

[seanfhear]

Is it? I've never seen that. I'd like to.

When you meet God, try to get a question on that in re; Head-the-balls / Headers ! !

[SkStu]

Official.

verton have completed the signing of goalkeeper Mark Travers from Bournemouth.

The 26-year-old has signed a four-year deal until the end of June 2029.

Travers made 82 appearances for the Cherries, while also having loan spells at Weymouth, Swindon Town and Stoke City, along with Middlesbrough, where he was the first choice in goal for the second half of their 2024-25 Championship campaign and played 20 league matches.

"I'm extremely proud and excited to be an Everton player," the Republic of Ireland international told club media

"Coming in, you can feel how big this club is and the history that comes with it. You really feel that with the fanbase, the new stadium now as well and the direction the club is going in.

"It's a fresh start for me to come up here and try a new chapter in my career.

"It's a really exciting time to be part of this massive football club and I just can't wait to get going."

It is expected that Travers will come in as a back-up goalkeeping option for current number one Jordan Pickford.

On the prospect of competing with the England international, he added: "Jordan [Pickford] is an outstanding goalkeeper for club and country. I'm looking forward to competing with everyone here and being a Premier League player.

"Being in this environment is huge. We're going to push each other every day in training and whatever happens on the weekend, we're going to be there for each other and make the most of every opportunity that comes.

"It's always really exciting to work with a new group and being able to help the younger lads as well. I'll give it everything. I'll take pride in doing the right things on and off the pitch and representing this club with a lot of pride."