Jordan Pickford ‘rightly’ keeps England no.1 role after Everton star replaced by Dean Henderson
Jordan Pickford “rightly” remains the first-choice England keeper despite the Everton star facing competition from Dean Henderson, according to Henry Winter.
The journalist wrote on his Substack on 14 October that the 30-year-old’s “outstanding” record for the national team meant he is still the number one despite Lee Carsley picking the Crystal Palace man for the 3-1 win over Finland on 13 October.
Pickford had one of his worse Three Lions matches in the 2-1 defeat at home to Greece last week (10 October) and Winter believes missing the next game was a reminder that there are alternatives if his levels drop.
Winter wrote: “Playing for keeps? The England succession is not simply about the manager. [Trent] Alexander-Arnold puts pressure on [Kyle] Walker, [Ollie] Watkins on [Harry] Kane, and Dean Henderson on Jordan Pickford. The goal Henderson conceded was down to poor marking at the near-post, nothing to do with the keeper.
“Pickford is still No 1, rightly so because of his outstanding body of work over 71 internationals, but it’s good to be reminded of the challengers, and the risk of errors of judgement as when he went walkabout against Greece.”
Sean Dyche ready to replace Everton keeper?
Pickford himself would probably accept he hasn’t been at his best so far this season, but it is still difficult to see alternatives at club or international level as better options yet.
It is probably no exaggeration to suggest that without him the Toffees would have been relegated over recent seasons, despite some high-profile errors.
He has largely been able to keep that to a minimum with the national side but the game against Greece, with Gareth Southgate no longer in charge, was a departure from that standard.
As with the Henderson reminder for the Three Lions Pickford will have to be on his toes for Everton as well, with Sean Dyche reportedly unhappy with his form to start the campaign.
The Toffees boss was said to be considering a January move for Newcastle’s Nick Pope as a replacement [Alan Nixon, 15 September] after an indifferent run of games.
Equally with significant change on the way at Goodison Park with The Friedkin Group set to takeover the club there could be a new manager in the dug out before long.
That may end the threat of Pope unseating hm but would also bring the risk to Pickford that a new manager wants to take the club in a different direction under the new ownership.
In other Everton news, the Toffees stance on a lucrative January transfer exit has emerged.
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