Andy Goldstein clashes with caller over Jordan Pickford as Everton view shared
Andy Goldstein has clashed with a Bournemouth fan live on talkSPORT over Jordan Pickford’s recent performances for Everton.
Pickford conceded three goals against the Cherries at the weekend (12 November) and was at fault for Marcus Tavernier’s opener for Gary O’Neil’s side.
Everton’s number one is certain to be Gareth Southgate’s first choice for England in Qatar, however, Goldstein has clashed with a caller on talkSPORT, who believes England will crash out of the tournament with Pickford in between the sticks.
The fan said (talkSPORT, 15 November): “If you put Pickford in goal throughout the whole of this tournament, we aren’t going to get out of the group stages.
Goldstein replied: “What’s that based on, he’s been brilliant for England?”
The fan answered: “Take his club form, over the past two games he’s let in seven goals and going on that form it’s not going to happen. In the first game against Iran, I think we will lose, especially if we have Pickford in goal.”
Goldstein added: “What are you talking about!?”
Nailed on
Despite Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale having sensational seasons for their Newcastle and Arsenal. We all know that Southgate will opt to utilise Pickford in goal when England kick off their World Cup campaign in Qatar.
He trusts the Everton man, and Pickford has rarely let England down. Furthermore, he has bundles of international experience under his belt, with a World Cup semi-final and a European Championship final now on his resume.
Pickford does have the odd shakey moment for Everton, however, over the past year and a half he has been in relatively consistent form, with some standout performances at the back end of the 2021/22 season to help Frank Lampard’s side maintain their Premier League status.
The Goodison Park hierarchy will now be desperate to get Pickford tied down to a new deal, with his current contract coming to a close in the summer of 2024. It has been suggested by Lampard that talks are ongoing.