Jordan Pickford pays David Moyes the ultimate compliment as Everton new season demand revealed

Jordan Pickford pays David Moyes the ultimate compliment as Everton new season demand revealed

Jordan Pickford has been speaking about life at Everton under David Moyes

BBC Sport Presenter Alex Scott, David Moyes, Jordan Pickford and Duncan Ferguson before Everton's game against Ipswich Town (Image: (Carl Recine/Getty Images) )

Jordan Pickford believes David Moyes has turned Everton into a side that reflects the values of the club and has helped re-establish a vital connection with the fanbase. The Blues enjoyed an impressive run of results after the 61-year-old returned to the club in January, eventually finishing 23 points clear of the bottom three.

During his first spell as Blues boss – which included more than 500 matches – Moyes had Everton regularly qualifying for Europe, as well as reaching the FA Cup final in 2009. A move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium this summer now offers the club a chance to reset after a rollercoaster couple of years which have been beset by infighting between supporters and the former ownership and poor results on the pitch.

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And Pickford believes not only has Moyes brought a different feel to the club since his return, but there are a number of reasons why Blues supporters should feel positive about the future.

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He said: “I think there were a lot of positives towards the back end of 2024 – with the new owners coming in and giving stability to the club, the new stadium, the new gaffer, as well. With the manager coming in, we’ve done really well.

“It’s about staying well, getting better and improving as a team – and going into next season firing again and getting off to a good start because the past few years we haven’t done that.

“I think this manager will demand a good start and demand us to get wins on the board and performances.”

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Before he continued: “I remember coming as a fan in the gaffer’s era the first time around and his team battering Sunderland.

“To come back now with the manager here and to have the opportunity to feel like the old Everton – because we’ve had a few rollercoasters over the years.

“But to get that resilience back and hard work. I think we’ve always been that as a team. I think the manager gets that connection with the fans.

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“To play for Everton Football Club, the connection with the fans is massive. It’s something where I’ve got a great relationship with them over the eight years.”

Pickford’s relationship with Moyes goes back to his time at Sunderland, and the England international recalled: “Big Sam (Allardyce) gave me my debut, and I sat on the bench for the rest of the season, but I had great memories.

“And then [Moyes] came in. Vito (Mannone) started the season and unfortunately got injured with a bad elbow injury. That was my time to take my chance and enjoy the moment.”

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