Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford set to be axed for England clash v Scotland
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is set to be axed from the England lineup for their international clash with Scotland on Tuesday night, report The Telegraph.
The England number one started in the 1-1 draw against Ukraine on Saturday afternoon as the Three Lions moved closer to qualification for next summer’s Euro 2024 tournament.
But ahead of a friendly to celebrate the Scottish FA’s 150th anniversary at Hampden Park, Pickford is set to be dropped from the team with Gareth Southgate selecting Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale instead.
“Gareth Southgate set to play Aaron Ramsdale vs Scotland tonight,” wrote Mike McGrath on his personal Twitter account (12 September).
Relax
There has been talk for a long time that Pickford shouldn’t be the starting goalkeeper for England and with Ramsdale’s recent emergence for Arsenal that talk hasn’t gone away.
But Pickford not playing in this game shouldn’t be a reason to panic for the Everton stopper, because if Southgate had plans to drop him then he surely would have done it in the qualifying game rather than a friendly.
This just seems like a chance to take a look at other options in case something happens to Pickford, because there has been no suggestion that Southgate has any intention of dropping the 29-year-old from his plans.
For Everton it could arguably be a good thing too as it means he gets a bit more rest before the weekend clash with Arsenal on Sunday, with the game against Scotland likely to be a physical one.
But he’s still the England number one and so long as he’s performing for the Toffees, there is no reason or expectation that will change any time soon.
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