Carlo Ancelotti admits that Jordan Pickford is "not doing well" but has given the Everton goalkeeper his full backing.
Pickford was under the spotlight before the Premier League was suspended in March but a series of basic errors since the re-start have heaped more pressure on the Blues' No1.
The 26-year-old has spoken with Ancelotti following Sunday's game at Wolves where he was beaten at his near post for the host's third goal and came close to conceding another when he let a tame shot squirm through his body.
Everton's manager has told Pickford to be "focused on himself" and the goalkeeper is viewing tomorrow night's game with Aston Villa as an opportunity to draw a line in the sand after a worrying finish to the season.
Ancelotti says he continues to have complete faith in the England stopper yet told him earlier this week that he must improve.
But when asked if Pickford needed greater competition on his place as Blues' No1, Ancelotti replied: "I don't know if he needs competition.
" I know that he is not doing well. I spoke with him. He's not doing well.
"He has to be focused on himself, on his performance, day by day to try to be better.
"I'm not so worried because he has quality, he has character but I have to say to him, and I said to him, that he has to improve.
"I don't know if he feels pressure or doesn't feel pressure. I think that pressure is a part of your job, you have to feel pressure but pressure can be a good gasoline for your job.
"I have, and everyone else at the club, has
total confidence in his quality. It is true he can do better and he knows this because he is critical of himself. I hope there is improvement in the next games."
Ancelotti, who is expected to start next season with Pickford, Jonas Lossl and Joao Virginia as his goalkeeping options, added: "I spoke to him yesterday about this.
"There is absolutely no problem.
"For the quality that he has, and he agreed, he has to be better. "
Ancelotti, who is expected to start next season with Pickford, Jonas Lossl and Joao Virginia as his goalkeeping options
No new Keeper lads.