Jordan PickfordImago

The Jordan Pickford England stat that proves what Everton fans already know

Head of Editorial Standards & Recruitment AUTHORITY Former senior digital journalist at Stats Perform; network specialist in live data, editorial standards, and journalist recruitment. FOCUS Editorial standards, Statscore live data integration, newsroom operations, and recruitment. THE BRIEF Pete brings deep data expertise from his time at Stats Perform to oversee the network’s use of Statscore’s live data, setting the standard for how writers use it to produce original editorial content. He is also responsible for maintaining editorial standards and leading recruitment across the network.

Published on:

27 Sep 2026, 6:40 am

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was a notable omission as England faced off with Spain on Saturday.

The Three Lions lost their Nations League opener 3-2 to the World Cup champions at Wembley on Saturday.

Lamine Yamal put Spain into an early lead, but Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane netted to put Thomas Tuchel's men ahead.

However, goals from Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal earned the win for Spain, with Kane missing a penalty for the Three Lions.

Tuchel raised some eyebrows with his selection, when Leeds United goalkeeper James Trafford was given the nod between the sticks.

But one stat emerging from the game proves what Everton fans already know about Pickford.

Should Everton stopper Jordan Pickford still be England's first-choice goalkeeper?

Pickford has been England's regular number one now for the best part of a decade.

During that time, Pickford has played in two World Cup semi-finals, and two European Championship final defeats.

Trafford was given an opportunity against Spain after starting the season in fine form since moving to Elland Road from Manchester City.

Tuchel has since stated that Trafford will play again against Czechia on Tuesday, though Pickford is set to get the gloves against Croatia and the re-match with Czechia.

The defeat to Spain means that since Pickford made his Three Lions debut in 2017, England have conceded three goals in a match on six occasions - as pointed out by FIFA journalist and talkSPORT contributor James Pendleton.

England have conceded three goals in a game six times since Jordan Pickford made his international debut in 2017.

He's played in one of those matches
— James Pendleton (@jpends_) September 26, 2026

Remarkably, given how often Pickford has played in that time, he has started in just one of those games, showing just how important he has been to England.

Everton's Jordan Pickford learns his England fate after Thomas Tuchel explains Spain decision

Jordan Pickford has enduring quality

Pickford, for some weird reason, has always seemed to attract some pretty bizarre criticism from outside of the Everton fanbase.

But Toffees supporters know full well just how good Pickford is, and the Blues supporters will always have his back.

This isn't about throwing shade on Trafford, who has started the season in fine form, especially given he was playing elite opposition in Spain with a dodgy defence ahead of him.

The stat just proves what Everton fans already know, though, and that is that Pickford has been a crucial performer for club and country.

At some point it feels inevitable that Trafford will take over as number one for England.

But any idea that Pickford should be moved out the way now seems a little premature, and he will not go down without a fight.

James Trafford