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Sky Sports journalist makes surprised and disappointed admission on Everton star Jordan Pickford
England manager Gareth Southgate should drop Everton ace Jordan Pickford to give others a chance, according to Sky Sports News senior reporter Rob Dorsett.
The Toffees goalkeeper played the entirety of England’s two matches against Malta and North Macedonia on Friday (17 November) and Monday (20 November) respectively.
But Dorsett believes the Three Lions manager needs to give minutes to the likes of Crystal Palace man Sam Johnstone in order to keep him fresh.
“What surprises me and disappoints me a little bit is that Southgate sticks with Pickford for every game,” Dorsett said on a Sky Sports Q&A (21 November).
“He’s prepared to drop his captain, Harry Kane, to give Ollie Watkins a chance, but he does not drop Pickford to give Johnstone a chance.
“I presume it’s because he did not want to make another change in the defensive unit, where communication is so important, but if anything happens to Pickford, England’s other options will be undercooked. They have not played enough for the national team.”
Undisputed
It is clear that Pickford is Southgate’s number one goalkeeper, and that has been the case for quite some time. The Everton ace has stepped up for his nation when it has really mattered, producing several world-class saves in major tournaments.
And that is certain to be the case again at Euro 2024 next summer, with Pickford and England desperate to finally lift a major trophy.
They have come close lately, but have not enjoyed any major success, with the current group of players more than capable of putting that to bed next time out.
Pickford will certainly be pushed by the likes of Johnstone and Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale, and perhaps Newcastle United number one Nick Pope, but it is highly unlikely that they will be able to knock the Toffees man off his perch.
He will more than likely continue his impressive displays between the sticks for Everton in the coming months, with Sean Dyche certainly grateful to have him on board.
In other Everton news, Kaveh Solhekol has made a Toffees Premier League relegation prediction on Sky Sports following their 10-point deduction.