Joe Cole ponders Premier League record for Jordan Pickford, it’d be quite the feat
James Milner broke a big Premier League record on Saturday, one in which Joe Cole has now backed Everton’s Jordan Pickford to potentially one day beat.
During Brighton’s 2-0 win against Brentford, the midfielder made his 654th top-flight appearance, breaking the record of most appearances set by former Everton man Gareth Barry.
This comes alongside two other records now held by Milner: the longest gap between his first and last Premier League goal (22 years 248 days), and the most consecutive seasons played in the top flight (24).
At 40, Milner goes down as one of the Premier League’s most underappreciated talents considering his achievements in the game.
But Joe Cole has pinpointed Everton favourite Pickford as one man who could potentially break this record in the future.
- Read more: Jordan Pickford’s importance made clear after achieving matching Premier League record for Everton
Everton star Jordan Pickford pinpointed as man to take historic mantle
Joining Everton from Sunderland in 2017, Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has made 347 appearances for the Toffees – solidifying his spot as England’s number one throughout.
Wayne Bridge, Carlton Cole and Joe Cole recently discussed Milner’s impressive record on The Dressing Room Podcast, where Pickford was earmarked as someone who could potentially break this in the future.
“The way football is now, they’re starting so young,” said Carlton Cole on the future prospects of someone making more appearances than the 654 set by Milner, to which namesake Joe responded saying: “Someone like Jordan Pickford?”
Since making his debut on Wearside, the 31-year-old has made 351 Premier League appearances in total – over half of Milner’s tally.
Should the shotstopper continue at this rate until the same age as Milner, he would break the record. Though, this relies upon remaining at a high enough level until then to still operate as a Premier League number one.
Jordan Pickford has remained reliable – but is he underappreciated?
There aren’t many goalkeepers as reliable as Pickford in the Premier League.
An important presence behind the backline for both Everton and England, he has continued to remain unflappable throughout his career, yet he continues to remain underappreciated by many outside of the Toffees fanbase.
Throughout his time in between the sticks for England, his future has continued to be debated, despite his reliability for both country.
If a mistake has been made, Pickford has always been quick to bounce back and prove himself once again, while his performances in recent years have arguably kept Everton in the Premier League on multiple occasions.
A fantastic goalkeeper for club and country, should Pickford get the continued years he deserves in the Premier League, he may be someone who is looked upon much more fondly in his latter years.
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