Everton: National media react to Jordan Pickford England performance v Malta
The English media have reacted to Jordan Pickford after the Everton goalkeeper was involved in England’s 4-0 win over Malta.
Goals from Harry Kane, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Callum Wilson and an own goal saw Gareth Southgate’s side to a comprehensive victory and three wins from three in their European qualification group.
Pickford enjoyed a fairly uneventful evening and the Daily Mail and Evening Standard have since cast their opinions on the Toffees’ shot-stopper.
“Didn’t put a foot wrong. To be fair, he didn’t put a foot anywhere, so peripheral was he,” wrote the Mail (pg 111, 17 June).
“Barely involved in the match and didn’t make a save. Cut out a long ball and completed all his passes,” wrote The Evening Standard (16 June).
Pointless
England would still have won even if Pickford was sat on the bench. Apart from Italy, the Three Lions’ European Championship qualifying group will be an extremely easy ride. The Everton man clearly has to do his duty but the majority of the games are fairly pointless.
Much has been made of the 29-year-old’s future at Goodison Park. David De Gea’s future at Manchester United has been an area of talking point this summer. If the 32-year-old decides to move on from Old Trafford then Pickford will become an option for Erik ten Hag.
He only signed a new deal recently so Everton will be in a decent position when it comes to his next move, however, if a significant bid arrives, the board will struggle to turn it down.
If we are being brutally honest, there’s still a negative feeling surrounding Goodison Park at present. There are legal battles emerging on all sides and still no sign of Farhad Moshiri clearing off anytime soon.