Everton’s Jordan Pickford has named his choices for best goalkeepers at the World Cup while also hailing Jude Belligham’s display in England 6-2 win over Iran in their opening fixture.
Speaking ahead of the Three Lions’ second game against the USA on Friday, the 28-year-old was asked to pick the top three players in his position taking part in Qatar but while he claimed there were plenty to choose from, he only came up with two names.
Pickford said: “There’s a lot of depth. (Thibaut) Courtois, Belgium, the season he had for Real Madrid last year was unbelievable.
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“(Manuel) Neuer, the number of years, the last 10-12 years have been incredible. There’s loads, there’s good competition.”
Bellingham opened the scoring against the Iranians to become the first teenager to score for England at the World Cup since Michael Owen and Pickford has been pleased with the midfielder’s maturity. He said: “Jude is a great lad. He’s a young lad but he’s very mature.
“With him being at Dortmund you can see he’s got leadership qualities being captain at Dortmund already. His performance the other night was unbelievable, for his debut in the World Cup was magnificent.”
Pickford also lifted the lid on his incredible stoppage time save from Sardar Azmoun which has subsequently been largely overlooked as it came just prior to Iran’s controversial second goal from the penalty spot. He said: “The practice we put in all week with Marg (Martyn Margetson, the England goalkeeper coach) he’s big on that and we work on it all week and it’s nice for it to pay off.
“I was waiting, waiting and I’m expecting a shot and then he takes it late and I’ve got a nice top hand on it but the resultant penalty comes from a set-piece on that side after the save so I’m a bit disappointed. I’m pleased with the save, I’m in the moment and ready for anything that comes at me and felt that was a good save and disappointed not to get the clean sheet but we keep building as a team.”
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