The Jordan Pickford reveal that makes England retirement calls for Everton stopper laughable

Everton star Jordan Pickford's status as England number one can no longer be disputed.

The 32-year-old has been the first-choice for the Three Lions for a number of years.

He has participated in two European Championships and three World Cups, guiding his nation to two finals and four semi-finals.

Goodison News has regularly fought back against the narrative that Pickford is not England's best option.

Some observers have even called for the Blues star to retire from international football.

That is an utterly ridiculous argument and is absolutely rubbished by a new stat reveal.

What has been said about a potential England retirement for Jordan Pickford?

Pickford has been much maligned during the World Cup, with criticism coming about his distribution.

Thomas Tuchel was even spotted remonstrating with him about that several times in the tournament.

It has led to claims that he should call time on his international career, with talkSPORT host Rory Jennings leading the argument.

Speaking live on the platform in the reaction to the loss to Lionel Messi and Co, he made his feelings clear.

He said: "I think Jordan Pickford shouldn’t play for England again. I think it’s over.

“He’s been fine, but there seems to be this misnomer that, you know, when people go, ‘Jordan Pickford’s never let England down’.

“I think he has. I think if you asked Jude Bellingham whether he thinks he should have saved Enzo Fernandez’s shot yesterday..."

“There’s a reason that he’s been playing for a relegation-threatened club for a lot of his career and no one’s ever tried to sign him.

“He’s an all-right Premier League goalkeeper. We need somebody better.”

What data proves Pickford retirement calls wrong?

The calls for Pickford to retire are laughable, and his record at the World Cup proves that.

Tuchel's side were knocked by Argentina in the semi-finals, but it was not the Toffees ace's fault.

The Three Lions' 6-4 win over France in the third-placed playoff proves why there is still plenty in the tank, as Dean Henderson struggled to keep Didier Deschamps' side at bay.

New data from Opta reveals that the nation have conceded three or more goals four times since 2022, but Pickford has not been between the sticks on any of those occasions.

He has not conceded more than twice in his last 70 appearances for his country.

That reveal shows how reliable that he is, and that he is not the issue, making the argument that he should retire look silly.

Jennings and others who do not like the Hill Dickinson Stadium star, should focus on other areas on the squad who are not pulling their weight.

The L3 man is clearly not the problem, and there is nobody who is anywhere near his level who could replace him.