CLUB SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Club | Everton FC |
| League | Premier League |
| Manager | David Moyes |
| Stadium | Hill Dickinson Stadium |
| 2026/27 League Position | 11th (after 8 matches) |
| League Record | 2W-4D-2L, 10 points |
| Goals Scored / Conceded | — / 9 (Pickford) |
| Clean Sheets (Premier League) | 3 (Pickford) |
| First-Choice Goalkeeper | Jordan Pickford |
| Second-Choice Goalkeeper | Mark Travers |
| Third-Choice Goalkeeper | Tom King |
| Current Goalkeeping Situation | Pickford immovable as No. 1; Travers expected to depart; search for backup underway |
The Defining Moment
Everton’s 2026/27 season has been defined by a paradox at the goalkeeper position: the club possesses one of the most reliable starters in the Premier League, yet its goalkeeping department is in a state of flux.
Jordan Pickford, now 32, remains the undisputed No. 1. He has started every league match, kept three clean sheets, and recorded a save percentage of 71.9%. His form has been so consistent that Bayern Munich reportedly identified him as a potential successor to Manuel Neuer, only for Everton to reaffirm their stance that he is not for sale.
The defining moment of Everton’s goalkeeping story, however, is not a save. It is a departure that has not yet happened but seems inevitable.
Mark Travers, signed from Bournemouth for £4 million in the summer of 2025, made just two Carabao Cup appearances in his first season. That lack of action activated a release clause in his contract, allowing him to leave if another club matches Everton’s original fee. Coventry City and Wrexham have expressed interest. With Travers likely to depart in search of regular football, David Moyes has been forced to scour the market for a reliable deputy—a role that, behind Pickford, has historically been a “career cul-de-sac.”
This is the story of Everton’s 2026/27 goalkeepers: an immovable starter, a departing understudy, and a manager searching for insurance.
Tactical Context
David Moyes’ Everton is a team built on defensive resilience. The Toffees sit 11th in the Premier League after eight matches, with a defensive record that has been respectable without being spectacular. Pickford has conceded nine goals in eight league appearances, keeping three clean sheets.
The goalkeeper’s role in Moyes’ system is relatively traditional. Pickford is expected to be a shot-stopper first and foremost, with his distribution—particularly his long passing—an important secondary function. His save percentage of 71.9% places him among the league’s more reliable custodians, and his three clean sheets reflect a defence that has been organized and disciplined.
The challenge for Everton is not the starter. It is the backup. Travers was signed to provide competition and cover, but his lack of minutes has made his position untenable. The club has been linked with a string of goalkeepers—Sam Johnstone, Ørjan Nyland, and others—as Moyes seeks to ensure that the drop-off from Pickford to his deputy is not catastrophic.
The Goalkeepers
Jordan Pickford
Pickford remains the undisputed No. 1 and one of Everton’s most important players. At 32, he is at the peak of his powers, having won the Premier League Save of the Season award for the second time with his stunning late stop to deny Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali.
His 2026/27 numbers are solid. He has started eight league matches, accumulating 720 minutes, conceding nine goals and keeping three clean sheets. His save percentage of 71.9%—23 saves from 32 shots on target—reflects a goalkeeper who makes the saves he should make, even if he is not producing the spectacular on a weekly basis. His 6.80 average rating places him among the league’s better goalkeepers.
His contract runs until 2029, and Everton have no intention of selling him. Bayern Munich’s interest was rebuffed, with the club holding firm unless a substantial offer arrives. At 32, Pickford should have several more years at the top, and his importance to Everton extends beyond his shot-stopping—he is a leader, a dressing-room presence, and a fan favourite.
Mark Travers
Travers’ Everton career appears to be nearing its end. The Republic of Ireland international, signed from Bournemouth for £4 million, made just two Carabao Cup appearances in his first season at the club. His lack of Premier League minutes activated a release clause, and Coventry City and Wrexham are among the clubs interested in his signature.
At 27, Travers needs regular football. He is a capable goalkeeper—he made 82 appearances for Bournemouth, including 12 in the Premier League—but he is not going to dislodge Pickford. A move away, whether in January or the summer, seems the most sensible outcome for all parties.
Tom King
King is the third-choice goalkeeper, signed from Wolves in August 2025. At 31, he is an experienced presence who provides emergency cover. He has not featured for the first team this season and is unlikely to unless injuries strike both Pickford and Travers.
Thomas King
King, a 31-year-old goalkeeper, is also listed in Everton’s squad. He is a development or emergency option rather than a first-team contributor.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: Everton Goalkeeper League Statistics (2026/27)
| Player | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets | Save % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Pickford | 8 (8) | 720 | 9 | 3 | 71.9% |
| Mark Travers | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Tom King | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
TABLE B: Everton Defensive Record (Premier League 2026/27)
| Metric | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Conceded | 9 | After 8 matches |
| Clean Sheets | 3 | All by Pickford |
| Save Percentage | 71.9% | Pickford’s individual rate |
| Shots on Target Faced | 32 | Pickford’s individual total |
| Goals Conceded per 90 | 1.13 | Pickford’s individual rate |
TABLE C: Goalkeeper Availability (November 2026)
| Player | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Pickford | Fit | Undisputed No. 1 |
| Mark Travers | Fit | Expected to depart |
| Tom King | Fit | Emergency cover |
| Thomas King | Fit | Development |
Tactical Identity & Squad Balance
Everton’s goalkeeping department is a study in stability at the top and uncertainty beneath. Pickford is one of the most reliable starters in the Premier League, a goalkeeper whose consistency has made him indispensable. His contract until 2029 and Everton’s refusal to entertain Bayern Munich’s interest reflect his importance to the club.
The problem is the backup. Travers was signed to provide competition and cover, but his lack of minutes has made his position untenable. The release clause in his contract means Everton cannot stand in his way if a club matches their £4 million outlay. Moyes has been linked with a string of replacements—Sam Johnstone, Ørjan Nyland, and others—but no deal has been completed.
The key question is whether Everton can find a deputy of sufficient quality who is willing to accept a backup role behind one of the most durable goalkeepers in the league. It is a difficult sell, as the club’s history of understudies demonstrates. But for a club with Everton’s ambitions, having a reliable No. 2 is essential.
The Verdict from the Camp
Liverpool Echo on Pickford’s importance:
“Jordan Pickford… is at the peak of his powers… Everton’s now departed club captain Seamus Coleman… has tipped the former Sunderland man to eventually eclipse his own total for the most Premier League appearances for the Blues.”
Yalla Shoot on Bayern Munich’s interest:
“Everton are holding firm in their stance against selling Pickford, with a willingness to change only if a substantial financial offer arrives… Jordan Pickford’s desire to leave does not seem clear, as the goalkeeper feels happy at Everton, while his family settles in Merseyside.”
OneFootball on the backup search:
“Everton have made an approach for Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, but see him slotting in ‘as a backup’ to England shot-stopper Jordan Pickford… Everton are currently looking to secure another shot-stopper if Travers were to leave.”
Where Next?
Everton’s goalkeeping priority is resolving the backup situation. Travers’ departure seems likely, and Moyes has been active in the market. Ørjan Nyland, a free agent after leaving Sevilla, has been linked, as has Sam Johnstone. The club’s preference appears to be for an experienced goalkeeper who understands the backup role and can step in when required without a significant drop in quality.
The longer-term question is Pickford’s future. At 32, he has several years left at the top, and his contract runs until 2029. Bayern Munich’s interest was rebuffed, but it may return. Everton’s ability to keep their No. 1 will depend on their ambition and their willingness to match his. For now, Pickford remains the foundation upon which Moyes’ project is being built—and the search for a capable deputy continues.
