Robinson: Butland ready for big Premier League move

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes Jack Butland is ready to follow in Jordan Pickford’s footsteps and make a move to a big Premier League side.

Butland has been strongly linked with a number of clubs, including Liverpool, in recent months and is widely expected to leave Stoke City following the Potters’ relegation.

Stoke finished 19th after winning just seven league games all season but interest in Butland remains high. Pickford moved to Everton for £30million following Sunderland’s relegation at the end of the 2016/17 campaign and Robinson believes Butland could follow a similar path.

“He’s good enough,” Robinson said on behalf of FansBet at Football Whispers’ third annual event at Stadium mk.

“Jack showed early potential and the last season or so he’s played in a Stoke side that has struggled. So he hasn’t had the opportunity to excel as much as I’m sure he would’ve liked to and he isn’t going to have loads of great stats like clean sheets.

“But a move this summer would be right for him and I think he can take the step Jordan took last summer. If he copes with that he will develop as a goalkeeper.”

Butland is believed to be one of a number of goalkeeping targets being considered by Liverpool. The Reds have reportedly accelerated their search for an upgrade between the posts following Loris Karius’ error-strewn display in the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.

While Butland has been mentioned, Liverpool are also thought to be interested in Roma’s Alisson. Newly promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers have also expressed an interest in signing Butland which would also offer him an immediate route back to the top tier.

Butland was named by Gareth Southgate as one of England’s three goalkeepers for the World Cup in Russia, alongside Pickford and Burnley stopper Nick Pope.

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The 25-year-old is the most experienced of the trio with seven caps, having made his international debut in August 2012. Pickford has just two caps to his name while Pope is yet to appear for the senior side.

Paul Robinson was speaking on behalf of FansBet, the only betting company which gives 50% of its net profit to fans. Find out more at FansBet.com.