Stuart Pearce defends Everton ace Jordan Pickford as England axe claim made
Stuart Pearce has launched a defence of Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford ahead of Lee Carsley’s first match in charge of the England national side.
The Blues number one has endured a torrid start to the season, conceding 10 goals in his opening three Premier League matches heading into the international break with his side sitting at the foot of the league table.
Carsley will take charge of his first match in the UEFA Nations League against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday [7 September].
Pearce appeared on talkSPORT [7 September], and when co-host Charlie Baker quizzed the former England caretaker boss on whether Pickford should be axed amid Everton’s “absolutely terrible” start, he defended the Toffees man.
He said: “I know which one I would pick [in goal for England] – I’d pick Pickford because you know he’s done brilliantly for England over the time he’s had. It’s not boom and bust at international level, you can’t solely put players in on form.
“You can’t do that, sometimes there’s that loyalty, there’s that trust but you know Lee doesn’t have any loyalty to any one given player because he’s new in the job. So all I would say to him is pick the players, make decisions that you think is the right one not the popular one.”
Jordan Pickford should not be entirely blamed for poor Everton form
The 30-year-old has been the undisputed number one for The Three Lions for years and now is not the time to make changes in the goalkeeping department.
While Pickford has been out of form at Goodison Park this season, he transforms into a completely different beast when he represents the national side.
He has been the subject of intense criticism from supporters and pundits alike [Jamie O’Hara], some of which is justified. However, there is no one among the current crop of English goalkeepers more capable of representing England.
Gareth Southgate reached consecutive European Championship finals with the Everton number one in goal, and he has established himself as one of the best shot-stoppers in world football for both club and country.
Dean Henderson and Nick Pope may have conceded fewer Premier League goals this season, but neither has the international pedigree of Pickford. To suggest that he should be axed for either deputy is an insult to what he has given for England over the years.
In other Everton news, the Blues are now in a strong position to bounce back from the ‘spectacular collapse’.
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