Sky Sports pundit wants England and Everton number one Jordan Pickford to cut antics
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Jordan Pickford is a target for detractors as the England starter but the Everton keeper sometimes makes it worse for himself says Kevin Campbell.
After the Three Lions’ dreadful 4-0 defeat to Hungary at Molineux in the Nations League earlier this month it was noticeable how stand-in keeper Aaron Ramsdale escaped without much direct criticism, when Pickford frequently receives a fair amount.
But Sky Sports pundit Campbell doesn’t think the Arsenal number one had a bad game, and believes that the Toffees star still has some more maturing to do when it comes to behaviour that can cause him problems.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News he said: “I think everyone knows he’s the number one, and obviously when you’re the number one you’re there to be shot at.
“The thing is sometimes Jordan Pickford doesn’t help himself, with some of the antics he gets up to.
“Because he’s still young. But all the [England] keepers are pretty young.
“So for me, I just think Jordan Pickford, there’s a maturing that has to happen for him.
“And I think slowly but surely he’s doing it.
“But he hasn’t let England down and he’s still number one, possession is nine tenths of the law.
“And Aaron Ramsdale to be fair, he made a couple of good saves.
“With defending like that you’ve got no chance, I mean let’s be honest.
“England just looked off it. I can understand why, it’s no excuse but the time to peak isn’t now.
“The time to peak is November – December, that’s the time when you want everybody peaking.
“I understand people are losing their minds but when you really look at Gareth Southgate and what he’s done, he’s England’s second-most successful manager.
“Just think about that for a second. He’s got to the semi-final of a World Cup and he’s got to the final of a Euros.
“Cut him some slack.”
Pickford was instrumental in keeping the Toffees in the Premier League in the 2021/22 season, and has himself spoken about how it has taken work with a psychologist to harness emotions [Times].
It wouldn’t have been a surprise to see him get it in the neck from pundits and fans had he been in goal for the England game, although it was hardly a great time for the players after a long season.
If the former Sunderland player can replicate some of the performances he put in late in the relegation battle then he can justify what Campbell refers to as “antics” all the better.