David James shares new Jordan Pickford exit admission in Everton transfer verdict
David James has admitted that he is baffled why Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford isn’t playing for a team higher in the Premier League.
The Toffees goalkeeper had another excellent season at Goodison Park as he played a crucial role as Sean Dyche’s side managed to dodge relegation despite being hit with two separate point deductions.
Pickford was widely praised by pundits and fans alike for his displays, barring a few critics, and BBC Sport pundit James has suggested that the 30-year-old would be better suited to a different Premier League side.
Speaking to Four Four Two (16 June) he said: “Is he one of the best in Europe? He’s got to be up there, because I’m trying to think who I’d put above him, going through the Euros at least. Better than Donnarumma.
“Manuel Neuer has been injured for a while – they’re slightly different styles of goalkeeper, Pickford is much more comfortable with his feet than Manuel Neuer, who’s a big unit, granted. I’m confident in an England team when Jordan’s in goal, put it that way.
“When you look at him playing for England, he looks different to when he plays for Everton in so many ways. With respect to Everton, England’s team is better than theirs.
“So if you’ve got an English goalkeeper playing very well for England, I question why he’s not playing for a better team in the Premier League or a team that suits his capabilities or attributes.”
Will Jordan Pickford leave Everton in summer transfer window after Euro 2024?
Pickford’s future was the subject of slight debate heading into this summer’s transfer window but is widely accepted that the England number one is more than happy at Goodison Park for the time being.
Ultimately, James is right to suggest that his performances over the last couple of seasons don’t reflect the position that the Toffees have found themselves. But he is also playing for one of the Premier League’s most historically successful sides.
Things may not be perfect on the blue half of Merseyside at this moment in time, but Sean Dyche’s side are still picking up some good results and throwing their weight around with the division’s big boys at the top of the table.
Hopefully, Pickford won’t depart this summer and Dyche can continue to build around the England stopper this summer. He may be good enough to play for one of the big six, but for now, he’s Everton’s man.
In other Everton news, a new Vitalii Mykolenko injury update has emerged ahead of Ukraine’s first Euro 2024 match
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