Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Wed 11 March 2026 18:40, UK

Kyle Walker has piled praise on Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford following the defender’s international retirement.

The current Burnley defender announced that his international career has come to an end on Tuesday, after picking up 96 England caps throughout his career.

Pickford made his England debut in 2017, playing with Walker across four tournaments under Gareth Southgate, reaching two finals in the process.

Looking back at the penalty shootout loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley, Walker has piled the praise on the Toffees shotstopper, who remains imperious for his side at club level.

Jordan Pickford penalty might mentioned as Kyle Walker discusses international retirement

Pickford has been one of the Premier League’s most reliable goalkeepers since his move to Everton in 2017 – earning 81 senior caps for England during this time.

Playing a huge part as the Three Lions overcame Colombia in a shootout at the 2018 World Cup, the next time that penalties would be required for England at a major tournament would come in 2021, as they reached the European Championship final against Italy.

Discussing his England career with Gary Neville, Walker looked back on what would be an eventual 3-2 shootout loss.

Saving penalties from Andrea Belotti and Jorginho on the night, Pickford would give England a chance that they were unable to capitalise on, but Walker praised his impact.

“You know he’s going to save one or two,” said Walker.

“You score your penalties, and you’re winning the shootout. It’s not going to be six, seven, eight, nine or ten,” he added. “Because we have got a goalkeeper who is very good at penalties.”

Since making the switch to Everton in 2017, Pickford has saved eight penalties for the Toffees, while he has remained formidable between the sticks for his national team.

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 club and 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.