Credit: Imago and YouTube

Richie Mills

Thu 9 April 2026 10:19, UK

Roy Keane has admitted that Everton star Jordan Pickford has won him over, while Wayne Rooney waxed lyrical about the England goalkeeper.

Pickford joined Everton from Sunderland in 2017 and since then, he has become England’s number one and one of the Premier League’s best keepers.

The 32-year-old has 82 caps for his country and has represented the Three Lions at two European Championships and two World Cups.

This season, the 6ft 1in stopper may have had his best campaign yet, with Pickford’s goals prevented tally (5.13) the best in the division.

Ahead of Everton’s crunch clash with fellow Europe hopefuls Brentford on Saturday, Keane, Rooney, and Gary Neville have heaped praise on Pickford.

Jordan Pickford enjoying stellar season

As Everton push to secure European football this season, Toffees fans know they will have Pickford to thank if they get it.

The England international has pulled off some remarkable saves this season, most notably a world-class stop from a blistering Sandro Tonali strike in a win over Newcastle United.

David Moyes has repeatedly sung the praises of Pickford and now some prominent pundits have got on that bandwagon.

Keane said on the latest episode of Stick to Football, “I know I don’t give keepers credit but he made a great save against Newcastle.”

When Neville asked if Pickford was England’s most vital player, Wayne Rooney chimed in, “He’s England’s best keeper, ever.”

Neville admitted he “wasn’t having him” earlier on in his career but has been won over by him. Keane agreed but said with a wry smile that he was still not convinced of him overall.

“It would have been nice to see him at a team playing in the Champions League. He is at a big club but a team competing or winning league titles,” he added.

“I am amazed [a Champions League team hasn’t come in for him]. He’s got a lot of experience, is at the right age.”

Pickford may yet play in Champions League

Everton last played in Europe in 2018, but they exited the Europa League at the group stage phase that year.

Ahead of facing Brentford, Everton are outside the top seven on goal difference, with the Bees currently on course to qualify for next season’s Conference League.

Chelsea, who are primed to earn a spot in next term’s Europa League, are just two points ahead, weeks after Everton dismissed them 3-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton’s finances are more tightly run under The Friedkin Group but they may be able to splash the cash if they reach the Champions League next season.

Fifth-placed Liverpool occupy the last qualification spot to that elite competition, with Everton just three points adrift. The Toffees host Arne Slot’s increasingly beleaguered-looking side on 19 April, in a game that could make or break Everton’s European hopes.

And if they achieve that lofty goal, Pickford – who will be in goal for England at this summer’s World Cup barring injury – will get his first taste of Champions League football in 2026.