Gary Lineker lauds 'exuberant' Jordan Pickford at Everton in Team of the Season verdict
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have praised Jordan Pickford for an "outstanding" season with Everton as the pair agreed on their Premier League Team of the Season.
The 30-year-old shot-stopper has been a mainstay in Sean Dyche's team, starting all 38 league matches for the Toffees and helping the club to secure Premier League safety.
Pickford has often been criticised for some of his mistakes and displays in recent years, though it is clear he has stepped up massively at a time of need at Goodison Park.
Speaking via The Rest is Football podcast on Wednesday (22 May), Alan Shearer said: "For me, there were two I was debating with - Pickford and Raya. They've both had outstanding seasons. But I'm going for Jordan Pickford.
Gary Lineker replied: "I'm also going for Pickford. I'm surprised we've agreed. For a variety of reasons, I think he's been unbelievable. He's a lot busier, obviously than someone like Raya. Ederson and Allison are great goalkeepers, but they've made one or two mistakes.
"David Raya made one or two mistakes but bounced back. Pickford, on the other hand, has made 121 saves compared with Raya's 46, Ederson's 57, and Allison's 83. He has conceded more goals than the others but I think he's been brilliant.
"One of the reasons Everton have stayed up despite getting their points deductions. He's calmed himself down a fraction but still gets a little bit overexcited, a bit exuberant at times."
Shearer finally added: "It's been a really tough season for Everton with the points deduction, but he's been excellent doing his part. He's pulled off some vital saves and I agree that he's calmed down because there are times that he gets stupidly excited."
Does Everton star Jordan Pickford deserve to be in the Premier League Team of the Season?
Absolutely. Pickford has earned his spot in this year's Team of the Season, despite Raya's performances at the Emirates Stadium.
While the Gunners are expected to have a tight defence, Dyche's defensive displays seem to have flown under the radar, with only Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool conceding fewer goals this season.
Of course, the centre-back partnership of James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite have been equally important for the Toffees, but a confident goalkeeper is one of the vital aspects of a team.
Pickford has overcome so much adversity since arriving at Goodison Park in the summer of 2017, going on to make nearly 300 appearances and earning himself a cult-legend status at the club.
He will always keep the "exuberant" side to him, as most goalkeepers do in this day and age, but the balance of maturity has really shone through this season as Everton battle all the odds to stay afloat in the Premier League.
In other Everton news, Jordan Pickford has dropped an Everton transfer hint ahead of the summer window opening.
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