Everton goalkeeper Joao Virginia has admitted his future is firmly in the club’s hands and he’s waiting for them to make a decision on him.
A Bola have an interview with the Everton number two in which he discusses his future, interest from the January transfer window and a potential return to Portugal at some point.
The 25-year-old is the current number two at Goodison Park behind Jordan Pickford, meaning he’s managed just three appearances this season, with one of those coming in the EFL Trophy.
He is unlikely to oust the England number one any time soon given Pickford continues to be one of the leading goalkeepers in the Premier League and is currently second in the clean sheet charts with nine to his name.
His experience this season has been a continuation of his time at Everton, were he has largely been on the periphery since arriving from Arsenal in 2018.
Since then, he’s only made eight appearances for the club, going out on loan with the likes of Reading, Sporting Club de Portugal and SC Cambuur.
His current contract is set to expire in the summer and there is some doubt about whether he will be staying with the Toffees because of stats like those. Virginia, though, admits the power is all in Everton’s hands.
“It’s not the ideal situation. Of course I want to play. And the more you play, the better,” he said.
“But on the other hand, I have a very capable goalkeeper who has had very good seasons. I have also helped and pressured him to be at that level. And I have a good relationship with Jordan (Pickford), with the team. It’s not easy being the reserve goalkeeper, but I’ve been prepared for any situation.
“These are my last six months, but the club has an option to renew. He has already talked about renewing beyond this year, but nothing has come of it, nothing has been concrete. And I’m still alone with my last months.
“I can’t take anything definitively, there is an option for Everton to be activated until the end of the season. Until then I can’t decide anything. And I feel very comfortable at Everton, I like being here, I like being in the Premier League.”
