Andy Dunn shares Jordan Pickford hunch at World Cup as Everton star flies under the radar
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has not got the credit he deserves and has gone under the radar, as suggested by Andy Dunn.
England will face France in the World Cup quarter-final clash on Saturday (10 December), and the Mirror journalist has predicted Pickford to rise to the occasion.
Dunn wrote for The Mirror (9 Dec, page 61) that he has a “hunch” that Pickford, who will make his 50th appearance for the country, will be the match-winner for England in their next game.
“If there is one player who has not got the credit he deserves for his contribution to the Gareth Southgate era, it is Jordan Pickford. Against France on Saturday, he will win his 50th England cap,” wrote Dunn.
“Make no mistake, there will be no more important England man on the pitch. And based on his levels for the Three Lions, you can bank on Pickford (below) rising to the occasion.
“Just a hunch but I have a feeling England’s match-winner will be their goalkeeper.”
Spot on
Pickford has been brilliant for both club and country, and he has been superb for England in this World Cup as well, but he has not been given due credit.
Chris Sutton, for instance, gave him a 6/10 rating against Senegal when he made a couple of fabulous saves to keep England in the game.
It is an essential quality of a great goalkeeper to make saves at crucial times, and that is exactly what Pickford has done for England in this World Cup.
Against France, the challenge will be really tough. Kylian Mbappe is in sensational form at the moment, and he has scored five goals already.
France are creating loads of scoring chances and Pickford is likely to be tested throughout the game.
Pickford will relish this challenge. He has been a symbol of consistency for the Toffees in the past 18 months, and he is very reliable.
The high-pressure game in the World Cup could be settled by fine margins, maybe it could go down to penalties, and this is Pickford’s time to become the hero of the nation, if he hasn’t become one already.