Joao Virginia has hinted that he could leave Everton in the near future after the club decided to keep him at Goodison Park last summer.
The goalkeeper admitted that his ultimate ambition is to become a first-choice keeper at a major club, but for the time being, he is focused on getting through the rest of this season.
He also revealed that he expected to make the most of limited opportunities due to Jordan Pickford’s role in the club, and his role this season is going as planned.
Virginia told Portuguese news site Bola Branca [5 March]: “This year they decided they wanted me to stay at the club.”
“Staying, I understood that with England’s number one goalkeeper in the squad, I’d be playing in the cups and waiting for something to happen, but the season is going well, and it’s going as anticipated.
“I’ve already played in four different leagues, so I’m progressing, and my goal now is to play more and more and eventually become a starting goalkeeper at a large club. For the time being, all that remains is to wait and see what occurs until the season’s end.”
Joao Virginia could be headed for the Everton exit door.
The life of a second-choice goalkeeper will undoubtedly be frustrating, especially because Virginia has stated his desire of someday becoming the first-choice anywhere, as he later admitted that he wants to play for the Portuguese national team.
That ambition will not be achieved by playing second fiddle to England’s number one, Jordan Pickford, as he is forced to pick up scraps in the occasional cup game, despite the fact that Pickford was favoured during the Carabao Cup campaign.
The goalkeeper sent a note to new arrival Beto when he arrived for Everton in the summer, so it’s safe to presume he helped the striker settle at Finch Farm, but off-field duties will be the least of his concerns.
The decision was made in the summer to maintain him as Pickford’s backup, and while it may appeal to Everton given their financial predicament, there is a good chance Virginia will go this summer.
