With 10 minutes to go, Cody Gakpo was played in behind the SC Cambuur backline. The forward, who a few months later would sign for Liverpool, had time to take two touches as he burst into the box and bore down on goal.
Before he could unleash his effort the chance was gone. His opposition keeper, having read the pass and anticipated Gakpo’s movement, had sped from his line and swept the ball away, protecting his side’s slender 1-0 lead over Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven. Three minutes later, Cambuur struck a second before adding a late third to clinch a famous win.
The save was as good as an assist and it came from Joao Virginia, Everton’s young goalkeeper who, like Gakpo, will be back on Merseyside when pre-season begins.
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“It was a story of David and Goliath, a small team against one of the best teams in Holland and we played really well and I kept a clean sheet”, Virginia recalled. “It was one of the best moments of the season. I made a really great save against Gakpo, and then we scored three minutes later. You are buzzing when that happens, when you make a good save and straight after we score. That is having an impact.”
It was one of a number of highlights during a rollercoaster of a spell for Virginia, who kept four clean sheets and was twice named in the Eredivisie team of the week across 17 games, but also endured tough experiences before losing his place to the more experienced Robbin Ruiter. That was a source of frustration for Virginia, who conceded fewer goals and saved a greater percentage of shots than his counterpart across a similar number of games for a side that was ultimately relegated.
He regards the spell in the Netherlands as another step forward though, a test that took him outside of his comfort zone and helped him learn more about himself and senior football. He said: “I think it was the best decision for me at the time to go to a club where I was really needed because I was making 10 saves in some games and was man of the match a few times.
"I think it was the right step…I was brought in knowing it would be difficult but the previous year Cambuur finished mid-table. I wanted a place where I could show myself and I knew Cambuur would be a place like that - a team in a good league.”
It was the most exposure to senior first team football Virginia has had to date, though his experience is far greater than his numbers suggest. Last season, while at Portuguese club Sporting, he kept four clean sheets in eight matches and played for the side away at Ajax in the Champions League.
He already has three games under his belt at Everton too - starting in a 3-0 victory over Salford City in the Carabao Cup second round in September 2020, replacing the injured Jordan Pickford during the opening half of a Premier League game against Burnley the following March and then starting the FA Cup quarter-final tie with Manchester City seven days later.
Before his loan spells, Virginia was involved in the twin success of the Under-23s Premier League 2 and Premier League Cup wins in his first season at Everton after moving from Arsenal as a teenager. He has represented Portugal at every youth level between the U16s and U21s. Even when he has been away from Everton, Virginia says he has continued to feel a genuine part of the club.
Of goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly, he said: “He is a great, great coach and since I have been at Everton he has been helping me out with my development. Even when I am out on loan he keeps in touch, he analyses the games with me and tells me what I can do better. He has been perfect, spot on with my development and approach.”
It is set to be an interesting summer for Virginia, who is now eager to prove himself at Finch Farm. Jordan Pickford’s deputy Asmir Begovic looks set to depart at the end of the month while the future of third-choice keeper Andy Lonergan is also unclear with his current deal soon to expire. Lonergan is well respected by both Sean Dyche and the Everton goalkeeping department and was named alongside Begovic on the bench in the final games of the Premier League season.
Regardless of what happens to Lonergan there will be at least one spot available in the first team squad for a keeper. Virginia, who has one year left on his current deal, has the most first team experience of his internal competition and is keen to make an impact. He said: “I want to show myself and prove myself to the new staff and the new manager because I have been away for so long.”
While he hopes to stay on Merseyside, Virginia will accept the club’s call if it is believed another loan deal is best for him. He said: “It is up to Everton because I respect the club’s decision and I think I am at a stage in my career where I want to compete and I want to play. If it is at Everton, then perfect, I know I can compete for a spot. Being at Everton is fantastic. It is up to them to decide what is better for me because I still have one more year left on my contract so let’s see what happens. The thing I appreciate a lot with Everton over the past few years is that they want to develop me, they believe in my development.”
For the moment, he is now preparing for life back at Everton and is pleased at that prospect: “I think every season I have been growing and getting better and playing more and more. That is my objective. I feel confident and that I am going in the right direction. Everton is my club and where I like to be. I love the people here and I love the supporters.”
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