Sam Stone

Thu 8 December 2022 12:10, UK

Jamie O’Hara has suggested that Jordan Pickford wasn’t in “great form” for Everton before the World Cup started in Qatar.

Pickford has started every single game for England in the tournament and made two big saves in the Three Lions’ last outing against Senegal.

O’Hara feels that if England lose to France on Saturday (10 December), Gareth Southgate should remain in charge due to the England boss getting the best out of players who haven’t been performing for their clubs.

“I will be gutted if we lose on Saturday, but I will still back Southgate to be the manager because I don’t think there’s a better manager because I don’t think there’s a better manager out there right now who can get out what he gets out of these players,” said O’Hara (talkSPORT, 03:49, 7 December)

“Stones, Maguire, Pickford and Shaw, these are players who are players who haven’t been in great form coming into the tournament.”

Unsure

The talk surrounding Pickford’s form for club and country seems never-ending, but looking back at the last two years, the Everton keeper has been in fine form for his club. He made some massive saves at the back end of the 2021/22 season and was one of the main reasons why Everton retained their Premier League status.

The 2022/23 campaign hasn’t been much different for the 28-year-old, with his last performance against Bournemouth the only real cause for concern. Considering how good Pickford is in an England shirt, there are often a lot of comparisons made to his form at Goodison Park, and it potentially isn’t fair.

He certainly wasn’t struggling for form when he joined up with Southgate’s squad ahead of the World Cup. The game against France is a chance for Pickford to deliver another important performance for his country.

Pickford is set to break into an exclusive club should he start on Saturday, with the 28-year-old set to win his 50th cap for his country.