Everton ace Jordan Pickford compared to Gordon Banks live on talkSPORT
Without the miracle work of Jordan Pickford, Everton could currently find themselves rock bottom of the Premier League or even worse.
The Toffees’ number one has almost single-handedly won games for Frank Lampard’s side and it was enough to help them to Premier League survival last season too.
That form has continued this season and despite missing the recent Nations League games for England, he is still considered Gareth Southgate’s number one for the World Cup.
Micky Gray has gone even further in his praise and admiration for the 28-year-old, suggesting he is England’s second-best shot-stopper ever behind Gordon Banks.
“I think he’s England’s second-best goalkeeper ever,” Gray said live on talkSPORT. “He’s played in a semi-final and final. You tell me anyone who has got close to Banks.”
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Asmir Begovic and Andy Lonergan must look at Pickford and think they will never play for the football club without injury or suspension to him.
Even in Carabao Cup matches where a result isn’t necessarily the most important thing, you have to feel that Lampard would not feel remotely comfortable without him between the sticks.
The rumours that he could leave in the upcoming transfer windows are a nightmare for everyone at Everton because his demeanour at the back is usually what keeps the defence as solid as it is.
To suggest he is close to rivalling the late, great Banks, however, is comfortably too far as every Evertonian would agree, especially as the Three Lions have won nothing with him between the sticks so far.
That kind of praise will no doubt give him another huge lift to keep on performing to these extremely high levels and he could be in with a shout of being the Premier League’s best this season.