Everton ace Jordan Pickford set to break into exclusive England club
Jordan Pickford could find himself in an exclusive England club if the Everton goalkeeper starts against France in the quarter-final of the World Cup.
Daily Mail journalist Dominic King reported [8 December, page 79] that the 28-year-old would win his 50th cap for the Three Lions on Saturday should he be selected.
Pickford has been aware of the potential milestone for some time and that it would likely be the reigning world champions France who he would achieve the feat against.
Gareth Southgate has long been a believer in the Toffees’ number one having given him his debut at both Under-21 and senior level for England during his tenure with the FA.
Pickford has been setting the tone for the Three Lions in Qatar, leading the goalkeeping drills in training perfectly, and he has had the number one shirt ever since he forced his way into the reckoning in the aftermath of Euro 2016.
Faultless
Every goalkeeper makes a mistake every now and then and they often lead to goals given the close proximity but you would have to think long and hard about the last obvious one Pickford made.
Frank Lampard knows that he can put his full faith in the England star to come up with the goods when the moment matters and it is rare to find that in a goalkeeper.
His 50th cap for his country is only the start of the accolades he should be receiving and the suggestions pre-tournament that Aaron Ramsdale or Nick Pope should replace him were absurd.
Until a goalkeeper gives a manager a reason to be dropped, they should remain between the sticks every game and even though Southgate could have changed things against Wales with qualification practically guaranteed, he could not get rid of the Everton man.
The Toffees are very lucky to have such a talent on their books and they will have to fight very hard to keep him if this form keeps up.