Sky Sports journalist shares England prediction for ‘reliable’ Everton ace Jordan Pickford
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford will start for England against Ukraine, according to Sky Sports News senior reporter Rob Dorsett.
The Three Lions take on Ukraine in their Euro 2024 qualifier in Poland on Saturday (8 September), followed by a friendly against Scotland on Tuesday (12 September).
Gareth Southgate’s England outfit sit top of Group C with four wins from their four matches so far, six points ahead of Ukraine in second.
“England’s Mr Reliable, Jordan Pickford, will start in goal despite conceding eight goals in four Premier League matches for Everton so far (few of those, if any, were his fault by the way, and his brilliance rescued a point at the death against Sheffield United last out),” Dorsett wrote for Sky Sports.
Number one
Pickford has been his country’s number one goalkeeper for some time now, and he looks set to continue in that role for some time.
The Toffees man has, however, come under pressure from the likes of Newcastle United number one Nick Pope and Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale in recent times.
But Pickford should still be between the sticks for the clash with Ukraine, with Ramsdale his nearest competitor after Pope was dropped by Southgate.
Crystal Palace’s Sam Johnstone is also in the squad this time around, but is perhaps third choice at this moment in time.
It’s clear that Southgate has loyal tendencies, with the manager continuing to select the likes of Manchester duo Harry Maguire and Kalvin Phillips.
The former is well down the pecking order in Manchester United’s defence, and the same can be said of the latter when it comes to Manchester City’s midfield.
But Pickford is playing regularly for Everton, and has been the standout once again amid early Premier League struggles for his club.
In other Everton news, a journalist has shared a surprising Toffees transfer verdict as a “happy” Sean Dyche claim is made.