The Swedish goalkeeper has expressed his desire to remain at Goodison Park beyond the expiration of his loan deal from Roma
Robin Olsen says he’s “crossing his fingers” that he will earn a permanent move to Everton.
Olsen arrived at Goodison Park on a season-long loan from Roma back in October, with the Toffees moving for the 31-year-old to provide extra competition for first-choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
The Swede has seen more minutes than he might have initially expected amid Pickford’s struggles for form and fitness, and he would now like to extend his stay on Merseyside beyond the summer.
What has he said?
When asked to address his future plans, Olsen told Everton’s official website: “We want to stay, but it is not me who decides.
“I can only cross my fingers and see what the club says. As a family, we have moved around and feel we are in a good place now.
“We are very happy, so why not stay until it is time to move home to Sweden? That is what we would choose.
“It is easy to say that – but everything needs to be sorted out.”
How has Olsen performed for Everton?
Olsen made his debut for Everton during a 2-1 defeat away at Newcastle on November 1, and has since appeared in six more games for Carlo Ancelotti’s side across all competitions.
However, the Roma loanee has only been able to record two clean sheets, with his latest outing coming in a 3-3 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford at the weekend.
Olsen was criticised for failing to keep out a long-range Bruno Fernandes shot and a tame Scott McTominay header, but could retain his place in Ancelotti’s line-up when the Toffees face Tottenham in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday with Pickford currently nursing a rib injury.
The bigger picture
Pickford remains Everton’s number one keeper for the time being, but Olsen insists he is ready to seize any opportunity he gets to stake a claim for a more regular spot in the team.
“I knew I would have the competition with Jordan but I have seen if I train well, I will get my chances and if I play well, I will get more chances,” he said.
“Jordan is a really nice guy and to train with a top goalie makes me much better. You should want to improve yourself every day and I feel I am getting better all the time with Everton.
“We have a fantastic goalkeeper group. I like it [here], I am big, there are more duels in England. It fits me.”
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