As a new Everton problem surfaces, Billy Crellin sends the ideal message to Sean Dyche.
Chris Beesley provides an analysis of Everton’s EFL Trophy defeat against Doncaster Rovers.
Everton’s quick return to Doncaster Rovers was a much lower-key affair, but the visiting goalkeeper found himself equally busier this time, with Billy Crellin’s heroics between the posts providing encouragement for a youthful Blues team in a 2-0 defeat.
Less than three weeks ago, the home supporters reveled in giving England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford a tough ride as he felt the heat from the Eco-Power Stadium crowd. Pickford escaped an early let-off after being dispossessed only seconds into the Carabao Cup clash on August 30 – when Sean Dyche’s team rallied from a 1-0 half-time lead to finally win 2-1.
The taunts such as “Aaron Ramsdale, he’s better than you,” in some strange solidarity with a player who used to turn out for South Yorkshire neighbors Sheffield United, rang in the ears of a player who has performed wonders for his country at the European Championship and World Cup finals. Former Blues midfielder Mikel Arteta denied us the chance to witness the duo go head-to-head at Goodison Park on Sunday when he substituted Ramsdale for David Raya in the Arsenal goal, but there was another goalkeeper in the limelight here.
Crellin made a number of outstanding saves to keep Everton in the game. Although he was finally defeated by Louie Marsh, he twice denied the on-loan Sheffield United midfielder, first with his foot and then with a finger-tip save on an amazing personal performance.
Crellin, who was born in Blackpool, has taken an unconventional journey thus far. He joined Everton in January 2022 from Fleetwood Town following 13 games for ‘The Cods’, just five of which were league, and loan stints at non-league FC United of Manchester, Chorley, and finally League Two Bolton Wanderers.
England has capped him at Under-17, 18, 19, and 20 levels, so it will be intriguing to see where he goes from here.
Pickford had made his big £25million move to the Blues by the time he was Crellin’s age, but he, too, had been loaned out extensively by Sunderland, several times to Darlington, Alfreton Town, Burton Albion, Carlisle United, Bradford City, and Preston North End before establishing himself as first choice at the Stadium of Light.
“Billy is a first team goalkeeper, he trains daily with the first team and is in and around there,” Everton Under-21s head coach Paul Tait remarked. I believe he’s great for these EFL Trophy games right now to get some playing time, and I thought he was extremely good.
“He demonstrated his experience; he was unquestionably our most experienced player, and I believe he demonstrated that.”
That’s the thing: Crellin, at 23 years old, is far from “Billy the Kid.” He is less than a year younger than current Everton number two goalkeeper Joao Virginia, but with Pickford’s highly experienced understudy Asmir Begovic leaving Goodison Park for Queens Park Rangers during the summer, there may be a spot open at the Blues.
