Everton: Ally McCoist compares Jordan Pickford to England elite in new admission
Ally McCoist raved about Everton and England shot-stopper Jordan Pickford but Andy Goldstein has admitted that he does not come close to the international elite.
The 30-year-old has been a mainstay for the Toffees and the Three Lions since arriving at Goodison Park in June 2017, going on to make 269 appearances for the Premier League outfit.
Though Pickford has earned his fair share of criticism over the years, Gareth Southgate has continued to instil his trust in the ‘keeper at international level, amassing 58 caps to date.
Speaking live via talkSPORT on Wednesday (20 March, 6:30am), McCoist said: “I assume we play a lot more international football now than we used to, but that’s taking nothing away from Jordan Pickford, who is, rightly in my opinion, England’s number one.
“But I would be holding fire before I start throwing about the likes of [Gordon] Banks, [Ray] Clemence and [Peter] Shilton.”
Andy Goldstein agreed, adding: “100 per cent. He has played very well for England in a lot of the big games. He has never let Gareth Southgate down, or his country. But I don’t see him anywhere near that company.”
Does Jordan Pickford deserve more plaudits from Everton and England?
Of course, Banks, Clemence and Shilton will always be the set level for future England goalkeepers to reach, but the criticism of Pickford seems highly unjust.
Competing at the top level for several seasons now, pundits and media alike have continued to slam the England shot-stopper, rather than focus on his hugely impressive performances.
Despite playing in a relegation-threatened Toffees side this season, Sean Dyche’s shot-stopper has performed week in and week out at Goodison Park, with only Arsenal’s David Raya boasting more clean sheets so far.
Teaming up with the formidable centre-back partnership of Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski, Everton have only conceded more goals than Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.
The main issue in Merseyside remains in the attacking third of the pitch, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto combining for nine goals in all competitions this season, while the defence has been impeccable.
In other Everton news, Moshiri was left without £200million paperwork to sign as a PSR blunder has emerged.
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