Daniel Feliciano

Sat 9 December 2023 13:10, UK

Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Ian Wright have clashed about whether Everton star Jordan Pickford is good enough to help England win Euro 2024.

The Toffees man remains Gareth Southgate’s number one after seeing off competition for his shirt from the likes of Nick Pope, Sam Johnstone, Aaron Ramsdale and Dean Henderson in recent years and is expected to be the man between the sticks in Germany next summer.

But speaking on The Overlap (8 December), Neville asked if the panel had any question marks about any positions in the England squad which sparked Keane to admit he can’t shake off his doubts over the 29-year-old.

“I still have issues with the goalkeeper,” Keane said. “I do, I can’t shake that off for England.”

“I think he’s been pretty good for England,” Neville said, jumping to his defence.

“I know he has Gary but in terms of just the last bit, I just [I’m not sure], that’s just my question mark,” Keane responded.

Ian Wright the jumped in and claimed people were “waiting for the mistake” before Neville defended him more.

“To be fair you know my type of goalkeepers. I like them strong, 6ft 3 goalkeeper. Sturdy, strong, reliable, doesn’t laugh, doesn’t mess around. Literally like a monster, imposing.

“I had my issues with Pickford, however what I would say however is I’ve watched him now in the last three tournaments and I’m struggling to find where he’s let England down in the last six or seven years. And I can’t honestly, and I’d be critical if I could, he is absolutely been so consistent. That’s why I don’t name him, because to be fair he has stepped up.

“I think generally he has stepped up for England and delivered. This idea that Ramsdale and Pope would come in and take him over, forget that. I know Pope is injured for a bit, but that’s gone now.

“That question of Ramsdale is going to come and do this, or Dean Henderson. Forget it.”

Wright countered that though, suggesting if Ramsdale was playing regularly it could be a different story.

“I think, the thing with Ramsdale and it’s not just my Arsenal connection which you probably think it is but if he was playing regularly he’d still be pushing. He’d be pushing for a place as well still for me.

Neville though stood his ground and said that would “be doing a disservice to Pickford”.

Same old

This is a story that has been ongoing for years and it always ends the same way – Pickford is the England number one.

He has never let England down and while there have been goals where yes, he maybe could have done better, his performances are never the reason why they haven’t had success and if anything he’s more of the reason why they have got so far.

The talk to see him replaced is bizarre because he simply has done his job for years with minimal fuss, and there have been no outstanding candidates to replace him that have deserved to take his shirt.

All the best goalkeepers are a bit mad and he has that edge to him, but if England don’t reach their potential and win a tournament it won’t be because he was the goalkeeper.

Well done to Neville for admitting that he was wrong and Pickford has proven it. Eventually the rest of the world will catch up. Or they won’t, but everyone at Everton knows that they have a top goalkeeper.

In other Everton news, duo could return v Chelsea as Dyche drops update on Coleman’s fitness.