Callum O'Connell

Sun 24 September 2023 15:10, UK

BBC pundit Micah Richards has claimed Newcastle’s Nick Pope will be England’s first-choice goalkeeper at Euro 2024, with Everton stopper Jordan Pickford tipped to miss out.

Richards claimed that if Everton get relegated this season Pickford’s resulting drop in confidence would lead to the Magpies man taking his place in Gareth Southgate’s side ahead of the tournament.

He said his prediction was also backed up by Aaron Ramsdale dropping to Arsenal’s bench, which would also leave him without much of an impact despite seemingly being thought of as Pickford’s understudy currently.

Richards was discussing the goalkeeper situation for the national team with co-hosts Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer on The Rest is Football podcast [32:50] on 23 September.

While listing England’s goalkeeping options, Richards stated: “We’ve got Ramsdale who’s not playing at Arsenal. We’ve got Pickford, who could potentially go down with Everton. Then we go to Crystal Palace, we’ve got Sam Johnstone…” before Shearer interjected with: “Pope.”

Richards then stated: “Well I was coming there. He’ll be number one at the Euros at the end of the season, Pope will be number one,” to which Lineker questioned: “Do you think so?” and Richards doubled down on his statement: “100 per cent.

“If Everton go down and he [Pickford] loses confidence, he could… So we’re going with Sam Johnstone who was in the last England squad, but now they’ve just signed Dean Henderson.

“The only one free and is in good form, and can focus on his form, is Pope.”

Pickford should remain as England’s number one regardless

Even if Everton do find themselves facing relegation from the Premier League this season, Pickford should remain as Southgate’s number one choice, and it looks likely he probably will.

The manager’s tendency to stick to players he trusts regardless of their club situations has been made clear by his support for Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire, so if Everton’s on-field struggles do continue, it is unlikely to make a difference to his opinion on Pickford.

Everton’s main man has proved time and time again that he will always perform to a high standard for his country. His form at Goodison Park has been equally impressive, and that’s unlikely to change unless something drastic happens.

Pope, meanwhile, has never really got a look in at England, largely due to Pickford’s performances, and wasn’t even included in the last squad with Ramsdale and Johnstone the preferred options, so Richards’ claims seem to be a bit of a reach.

In other Everton news, a “nightmare scenario” has been shared regarding the 777 Partners takeover.