David James defends Jordan Pickford, tells Frank Lampard how to improve Everton
Former England number one David James has lept to the defence of Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, saying the criticism he gets is ‘unfounded’.
Pickford has come under plenty of scrutiny in recent seasons, but was a huge reason why the Toffees were able to escape from their relegation battle this season with their Premier League status in tact.
BT Sport pundit James, who was speaking to Genting Casino via Liverpool ECHO, believes that it’s on Frank Lampard to build a better Everton side who make Pickford work less and labelled him as ‘exceptional’.
“There isn’t a question [about him],” he said. “What I would say is that I have been defending Jordan Pickford, when I can. I say when I can, I mean when people have asked me about him, I have been defending him all season.
“I think a lot of the criticism is unfounded. It is that England No.1 position where you are just an open target for people.
“I have been defending him on the basis that what he has been doing for Everton isn’t necessarily impacting on what he does for England.
“He is playing for Everton, a team that is fighting relegation, and he was as good as Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Euro final. In that campaign he was outstanding.
“So for England, Jordan Pickford has been exceptional. There isn’t even a question. What he has done in the last few weeks, I am not surprised because he is capable, but that doesn’t mean it secures his place for England, the two have to be detached.
“Everton’s season has been underpinned by lots of opportunities for the opposition,” the former England international continued.
“So Frank needs to sort out what is going on in front, so Jordan Pickford isn’t having to pull out those match winning performances.
“Frank needs to put a team in front of him which allows Everton to be challenging for better things than penultimate day survival.”
Truth
It’s about time that someone stuck up for Pickford and came to his defence publicly, because this season he has been excellent.
It would be lazy and easy to claim he’s had a bad season considering how poor Everton were and the fact they only managed to secure their place in next season’s competition with one game to spare.
But anyone watching the games this year would have seen him as the stand out performer alongside Richarlison, but he’s often been the reason the team didn’t get absolutely battered.
His huge save during the massive win over Chelsea comes to mind immediately, after being voted as save of the season but ultimately earning the points that kept the club in the competition too.
He’s the England number one because he’s England’s best goalkeeper, and Everton are very lucky to have him and this season did nothing but prove that.
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