English media reacts to Jordan Pickford display in Croatia rout
Everton star Jordan Pickford regained his spot as England number one in the 7-0 win over Croatia.
The Blues star had to sit on the sidelines for the clashes with Spain and Czechia as part of Thomas Tuchel's plan.
The former Chelsea boss had already confirmed that the 32-year-old would come into the starting line-up for the contest.
He was back between the sticks for the Three Lions as they smashed Slaven Bilic's side.
Pickford and Co took all three points at Stadion NHK in Rijeka in the UEFA Nations League A group encounter.
The English media were very complimentary of the Hill Dickinson Stadium ace after his latest showing.
What did the English media say about Jordan Pickford vs Croatia?
Pickford's display caught the eye, despite him not having much to do.
The BBC handed him a six out of 10 rating, saying: "A really good decision and save when he raced out and won the ball at the feet of Ivan Perisic early on.
"Not tested but was lucky to not concede with Mateo Kovacic’s incredible miss."
The Daily Express also gave the Blues ace a six, saying: “The stadium wasn’t too far away from the beach and the England goalkeeper might as well have brought a deck chair, given how little he had to do.”
That rating also came from The Daily Mirror, who said: “Had a quiet night other than a few anxious moments but happily took a clean sheet.”
talkSPORT's Adrian Durham handed him a nine, saying: “Decisive and effective when Perisic was clean through first half”
While the media were full of praise, they did not highlight an aspect of Pickford's game which really impressed in the rout.
What did Everton star do better than usual in England win?
The competition with James Trafford may well have brought the best out of Pickford in one particular area.
He was berated by Tuchel at times in the World Cup for his passing out from the back, and it seems like he has improved drastically in that regard.
While the Toffees star only had 49 touches, he completed 88 per cent of his passes, according to data from FotMob.
His season average for the Blues is only 62.9 per cent, so it was a marked improvement from his club form in the passing department.
If that continues, it will surely end any kind of debate over whether Trafford is going to take over the role.
Pickford will continue as the number one if he can prove to the German that he can play out from the back, it is as simple as that.
For now, that is the case and it should not be in doubt again until he puts a foot wrong for the national team.