David Moyes verdict on Jordan Pickford weakness at Everton was wrong – here’s why
David Moyes has urged Jordan Pickford to keep a level head despite his recent Everton heroics, but the goalkeeper would do well not to follow his advice.
Pickford impressed once again during the 2-0 victory over Burnley last time out, pulling off two saves and keeping a 10th Premier League clean sheet of the season.
That shutout followed his show-stopping 94th-minute save in the 3-2 win at Newcastle United, which he proudly hailed as the best of his career.
There is no doubt that he is among the very best stoppers in the world, and Pickford is playing a crucial role in the Toffees’ surprise push for European football next campaign.
However, Moyes was slightly more measured when he delivered his verdict on his No 1.
What has David Moyes said about Jordan Pickford?
Pickford has a track record of pulling off brilliant saves, showcasing his outrageous flexibility and reflexes.
But equally, he has been guilty of multiple clangers since arriving at Everton from Sunderland, his boyhood club, in a £30million deal back in 2017.
Moyes has worked hard to keep him grounded, believing he is at his best when he is calm.
“He’s a really, really good goalkeeper. He’s very good because he’s got good distribution as well, and his agility, as you can see, is excellent,” Moyes told talkSPORT.
“But no, he’s got his moments. I have to tell him now and again, you know, I think he’s better when he keeps himself steady and doesn’t get caught up in all the things he does.”
However, Moyes is actually wrong. Pickford has historically been at his brilliant peak when playing on the edge and relying on the power of sheer adrenaline.
His trademark celebrations after pulling off eye-catching stops help to stir the crowd into life, and will provide a huge boost to his teammates when under pressure.
Long may these antics continue. Ironing them out would dampen what makes Pickford so special and remove the showbiz factor from his performances.
At a time when football has been accused of being too cold and corporate, the exuberant 32-year-old is a welcome antidote.
Could Pickford leave Everton?
A host of clubs are likely to be on the lookout for a new goalkeeper this summer, but their prospects of poaching Pickford from Everton are slim to none.
He put pen to paper on a new deal tying his future to the Hill Dickinson Stadium until 2029, and will almost certainly happily see out the rest of his contract.
That will be music to Moyes’ ears. Despite his hard-hearted attempt at pointing out flaws in the stopper’s game, he knows there is no one quite like him.
For now, he will hope Pickford can inspire Everton into Europe, a prospect deemed unlikely at the start of the season. A large part of that turnaround is down to their No 1.
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