Tony Cascarino makes ‘strange’ Jordan Pickford admission at Everton on talkSPORT
Jordan Pickford has left Tony Cascarino lost for words with what he has done at Everton.
Pickford continues to divide opinion among football fans, but the Everton faithful are appreciative of his contributions over the last eight years, particularly in the club’s relegation fight in recent seasons.
The England international played a pivotal role in the Goodison Park outfit avoiding relegation in the last three campaigns and has remained the Three Lions’ first-choice goalkeeper despite competition from the likes of Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope.
Cascarino blown away by Pickford
While Pickford still has his fair share of doubters, Cascarino is among those who have been blown away by him.
Speaking to Asmir Begovic on talkSPORT, the former Aston Villa striker described the 31-year-old has been “unbelievable” as Everton’s shot-stopper in recent years.
| Team | Matches | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets |
| Everton | 310 | 438 | 86 |
| England | 74 | 53 | 36 |
The pundit went on to describe Pickford as a “real star” for David Moyes’ side while admitting that he is also a strange case.
“It’s been really strange because the last couple of seasons, Everton have been struggling to stay up, they have made it every time and Pickford, I think, has done unbelievable”, Cascarino said on talkSPORT (22 March, 22 March).
“His performances last season were one of the reasons why Everton kept their Premier League status… as a goalkeeper.
“He has been the England No.1 for so long now. Again, he has been really a real star for me for Everton Football Club.”
Pickford integral to Everton
Everton roped in Pickford from Sunderland for a deal worth £30million in 2017 and while it was deemed a hefty price for a goalkeeper at the time, the investment has certainly proven worthy.
The Merseyside-based club would have perhaps not been in the Premier League now had it not been for the Washington-born goalkeeper despite his shortcomings.
Although he is on the wrong side of 30 now, Everton need not worry about replacing him for at least another couple of years as he continues to impress for club and country between the sticks.
David Moyes will be certainly glad to have Pickford in his ranks as the goalkeeping department is not an area he needs to worry about this summer.
This is particularly important as Everton are facing the possibility of having to overhaul their midfield, with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gueye running out of their contracts, while Orel Mangala and Carlos Alcaraz’s loan deals are also nearing an end.
They are facing a similar situation in attack, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Armando Broja, Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom all potentially on their way out.
Therefore, the stability in the goalkeeping department is something that the Blues will definitely appreciate.