Tony Cascarino singles out Jordan Pickford as Everton relegation claim made
Tony Cascarino believes Everton would have been relegated from the Premier League last season if it wasn’t for Jordan Pickford.
The Toffees managed to avoid the drop last season with one game to spare after a shocking season, with Pickford among the team’s best performers under Rafa Benitez and Frank Lampard.
But according to Cascarino, speaking on talkSPORT on Sunday [9 October], he was the difference between Premier League and Championship football this season and says they were “doomed” without him.
“Pickford kept Everton up last year,” he said. “Without a doubt. They were doomed.
“He pulled save after save for them. England number one. He just kept pulling saves off. He was easily for me their best player last season.
“Without him they would’ve gone down.”
Facts
It’s in the past now, but there is no doubt that this is a very true statement and Everton owe a great deal to England’s number one Pickford.
At a time where the team looked bereft of ideas in attack and leaky defensively, Pickford brought quality and leadership to the team and made countless first-class saves to earn the team vital points.
This season he has carried that brilliant form over and is part of the reason why the club has had one of the best defences in the Premier League this season, making top saves again and turning that leadership role into being captain at times too.
Now Everton are established in the league once again and are looking beyond a relegation battle and instead trying to get back into the top half of the table where they belong.
Things are good right now at Goodison Park, and Pickford is at the heart of most of it so it’s no surprise that top clubs are beginning to circle.