Sunderland’s new Jordan Pickford is already on Regis Le Bris’ radar as ‘rival clubs’ eye up transfer
Jordan Pickford may have left Sunderland eight years ago but the Everton and England goalkeeper is still highly thought of on Wearside.
After 35 appearances for the Black Cats at the start of his career, the 31-year-old has gone on to play 326 times in all competitions for Everton and win 79 caps for England.
Pickford is a great role model for Sunderland’s current crop of youthful players, especially as he’s recently gone on to break Gordon Banks’ record for the most consecutive clean sheets kept by an England goalkeeper.
Last week, with England’s 3-0 win over Wales in an international friendly, Pickford kept his eighth clean sheet in a row for the Three Lions.
While his countless penalty heroics and appearances in two European Championship finals and one World Cup semi-final are easily his greatest achievements, he can extend that shut-out record to nine against Latvia on Tuesday to further etch his name into this country’s footballing history.
There’s no doubt that Pickford is an Academy of Light success story – but there might be someone else now following in his footsteps.
Sunderland teen goalkeeper Joseph Cowan named in Next Generation 2025
Every year, The Guardian puts together lists of the best young players in football.
On Monday, they listed the best up-and-coming youngsters at every Premier League club and named Joseph Cowan as the stand-out in Sunderland’s academy.
The 17-year-old is yet to make a first-team squad at the Stadium of Light, but Regis Le Bris has called him up to senior training recently.
Cowan is described as an “exception” to the rule that goalkeepers mature later in their career, with the Black Cats goalkeeper “known for his razor-sharp reflexes, excellent shot-stopping and command of the area”.
It is understood that he could also make the step up to the first team on a more permanent basis later this season.
Unfortunately for Cowan, Robin Roefs’ impressive form in the Premier League could be a hindrance to his progression.
Also, Sunderland have to keep their wits about them when it comes to the teenager’s future with The Guardian reporting that his development has led to a “host of admirers at rival clubs”.
What have Sunderland said about Joe Cowan?
Information on Cowan is fairly limited due to his age, but in the summer, Sunderland announced that the goalkeeper was part of their Under-18s scholarship intake.
“A goalkeeper with a reputation for excellent shot-stopping. Joseph has played U18 Premier League football since the age of 15 and has already trained with the first team,” said the Black Cats on their official website.
He’s made four appearances in the Under-18s Premier League this season, keeping one clean sheet in the process.
In August, he pulled off what was described as a “sensational” penalty save against Teddie Lamb of Manchester City’s Under-18s. Unfortunately for the young Mackems, they ended up losing that game 2-1 with Lamb scoring in both halves.
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