BBC pundit Garth Crooks believes England should start Nick Pope for their World Cup opener against Iran. Gareth Southgate has remained loyal to Jordan Pickford since handing him his first international cap in November 2017.
Injury ruled the former Sunderland goalkeeper out of the last international break, handing Pope a golden chance to stake his claim. However, an error in the 3-3 draw with Germany damaged the 30-year-old’s chances of dethroning Pickford for the World Cup.
Arsenal shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale is another option for Southgate at this month’s tournament in Qatar. Alongside Pope, the two boast the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League this season. Despite this, Pickford is still expected to be in the starting line-up when England take on Iran next Monday.
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Former Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur striker Crooks would rather see Pope given the nod based on current form. In his weekly BBC column, the 64-year-old named the Newcastle United goalkeeper in his team of the week following the 1-0 win over Chelsea.
“The save by Nick Pope from Chelsea's Conor Gallagher was impressive but nothing less than what I expected from an international goalkeeper,” Crooks wrote. “The question is, when is Pope going to replace Jordan Pickford for England?
“Everton are languishing in 17th place while Pope, 30, has helped Newcastle into the top four, keeping clean sheets, and his confidence is sky high. Gareth Southgate must not lose the self-assurance Pope has gained from playing so well for the Magpies these past few months.
“I very much doubt Southgate will remove Pickford from the number one spot but, based on form, he should for their first game in Qatar against Iran.”
Kieran Trippier also made his line-up after another inspired performance from the stand-in skipper. He, too, will be on the plane to Qatar this week and has been hailed as “outstanding” in a black-and-white shirt.
“The inclusion of Kieran Trippier in England's World Cup squad is not just indicative of how well he's playing but also the impact his captaincy is having on Newcastle United,” Crooks added. “The full-back has been outstanding for much of the season and instrumental in the Geordies sitting proudly among the Premier League elite.”
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