Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford slammed by Fabio Capello for poor decision-making at World Cup
Fabio Capello has criticised Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford for his decision-making on the ball during England’s World Cup quarter-final against France when speaking with Sky Sports.
The former Three Lions boss believes the Evertonian made the repetitive mistake of firing long balls up to Harry Kane instead of playing out from the back in Qatar.
Pickford was one of Gareth Southgate’s star players throughout the tournament, coming up with crucial saves against the USA and in the last-16 match against Senegal, and subsequently coming out of the World Cup with his reputation enhanced.
Speaking with Sky Sports, Capello stated that the 28-year-old made the same mistake in the Euro’s final as well as the 2-1 defeat to the French last weekend (Saturday 10 December).
He said: “But the big mistake they made – the keeper [Pickford]. Not for the first goal, [it] was probably was a mistake. But during the game he had the ball, he shoot always long ball.
“It was possible to play the ball [short]. In my idea of football, when you can play, you have to play. He [Pickford] made always long ball. The same mistake they made when they played against Italy in the Euros, Wembley.
“After they are winning, England started to shoot long balls – not play. The goalkeeper, I don’t understand why? Probably all the players were angry.”
Harsh criticism
Any criticism lumped on Pickford at the World Cup is a little harsh, considering the number of times he spared the back four’s blushes.
A stunning point-blank save from Boulaye Dia in the last-16 stage came at a pivotal moment in the match, while the shot-stopper also made a trio of saves against Didier Deschamps’ side.
If Pickford did indeed kick the ball long at points of the Euro 2020 final against Italy and last weekend’s loss, it would have been due to the lack of trust in England’s back-four to pass out from the back.
With John Stones and Harry Maguire nowhere near the speed of French opponents Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, if they were to get caught on the ball playing out from the back, it would surely spell trouble.
Playing long was the safe and calculated game plan. Play out of France’s strengths and away from our weaknesses.
It just simply never went our way.