View: Everton ace Jordan Pickford has a point to prove to England
Everton shot stopper Jordan Pickford will not be happy with Brendan Rodgers after he named Aaron Ramsdale as the “best English keeper”.
Pickford has held down the number one spot for the Three Lions brilliantly in recent years, always delivering when called upon.
He has played vital roles in England’s recent major tournament success, most notably his penalty save that saw them beat Columbia in the 2018 World Cup.
Ramsdale has found new levels of form with Arsenal this season, forcing many to take notice of the former Sheffield United goalkeeper, including Rodgers.
However, Pickford will be hoping the kind words from the Leicester boss isn’t enough to make Gareth Southgate reconsider the best man for between the sticks.
“For me he’s the best English keeper at the moment. I think he’s top,” said Rodgers as per Daily Star.
“His progression since he came to Arsenal, he’s playing for a huge club, different expectation with how to play football, I think he’s dealt with that really well.
“It looks like he’s come into the club here, he’s playing now with a calmness. We saw him earlier this season and he was jumping about, but now he’s got a really nice calmness to his game.
“He plays well with his feet, he makes saves, his save from Barnes looked in all the way, that was a great save and it kept Arsenal in front.”
Huge decision
Pickford is an excellent goalkeeper. Admittedly he has a few mistakes in him, which keeper doesn’t? But that doesn’t take anything away from his undeniable quality.
He is tried and tested in goal for the Three Lions and someone that Southgate trusts which will surely give him the one up on his international counterpart in the run up to the 2022 World Cup.
Pickford rarely makes mistakes for England, largely due to the small number of games they play throughout the tournament.
He only has to focus on a few games rather than being in the spotlight all season long which has seen him struggle in the past.
Southgate and the coaches have invested a lot of time into the former Sunderland goalkeeper with the strenuous calming work they have put him through so they might just give him the benefit of the doubt over Ramsdale.
The Toffees’ number one will be desperate to retain his number one status for his country.
In other Everton news, Michael Ball empties both barrels on the players amid the Blues’ relegation crisis.
Be sure to follow Goodison News on Facebook for 24/7 updates on Everton plus more exclusive interviews with Kevin Campbell.