Exclusive: Don Goodman warns Everton that Jordan Pickford factor may halt Sheffield United advances | OneFootball

Sheffield United goalkeeper Michael Cooper has been advised against playing backup to Jordan Pickford at Everton

Everton are eyeing up a move for Sheffield United goalkeeper Michael Cooper this summer.

According to Alan Nixon via Patreon, the Toffees are keen to bring the 25-year-old to the club as a backup option to Jordan Pickford.

Goalkeeping duo Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia are both set to leave Everton when their contracts expire in the near future, which has fuelled David Moyes’ pursuit of the Blades’ shot-stopper.

Cooper joined Sheffield United from Plymouth Argyle for a reported £2 million last summer and impressed throughout the 2024/25 campaign.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit and former EFL striker, Don Goodman, believes that settling for a backup role won’t be in Cooper’s best interests at this point in his career.

Don Goodman casts doubt over Everton’s pursuit of Michael Cooper

“Everton may want to sign Michael Cooper,” said Goodman. “But if it is as a backup to Jordan Pickford, then I don't think that would be on the table from his point of view.

“He's been playing week in and week out, and were it not for the incredible season that James Trafford has just had, we'd be hailing Michael Cooper's season as one of the best by a goalkeeper that we've seen in the Championship.

“So, I can't see the move happening myself. It may be tempting that he'd be going to a Premier League club.

“But to go to a Premier League club and sit on the bench, particularly at this stage of his career, I don't really see that happening.”

Michael Cooper can’t afford to waste valuable years as a backup option

A move to Everton and the Premier League would present Cooper with career progression on paper but could ultimately halt his development.

Pickford isn’t likely to be pushed off his perch with the Toffees, and at 31 years of age, still has a long way to go before a possible decline may set in.

Therefore, years sitting on the bench would be time wasted for the Sheffield United 'keeper, who could secure a move elsewhere to another top-flight club.

The Blades will have resigned themselves to losing players due to their inability to achieve promotion. From a financial point of view, Chris Wilder’s side would be guaranteed to make a profit on the reported £2 million they spent on Cooper last summer.

After achieving 21 clean sheets in the Championship last term, a whole host of Premier League outfits, including Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, could improve their goalkeeping situation with a move for Cooper.

If the opportunity comes for Sheffield United’s No.1 to make a move up a division, guaranteed playing time should be at the forefront of his motives.

Making the wrong move could render important years of Cooper’s career meaningless, something the 25-year-old will be desperate to avoid.