The debate surrounding Jordan Pickford’s place in the England set-up has arisen yet again in recent weeks, particularly following the good form of Arsenal keeper and Three Lions teammate Aaron Ramsdale.
This is despite the fact that, in recent weeks, Pickford has been in fantastic form himself. Just last weekend, the ex-Sunderland man pulled off some outstanding saves – nine in total – away to Manchester United as the rest of the team around him failed to match his level.
Since Sean Dyche was appointed as the new Everton boss, Pickford has been instrumental in helping the team keep three clean sheets in his first five games at Goodison.
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It isn’t just the introduction of Dyche that has seen Pickford perform though - he’s been doing it all year. In the Premier League this season, only three starting goalkeepers have a better save percentage than the Everton man’s 74.5%, whereas Ramsdale sits at 73.3%.
What makes that statistic even more impressive is that Pickford has had to face an additional 48 shots on target than the competition, spending a lot more of the 90 under consistent pressure.
The Toffees manager was quick to back his man, saying: “It happens. You become a big player. It is very rare a big player has a constant stream of positives.”
Since making his England debut back in 2017, Pickford has 52 caps to his name. Gareth Southgate has entrusted him in the last three major tournaments helping them make the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of the delayed 2020 European Championships.
Dyche was also quick to shut down rumours of a potential verbal agreement that would see the 'keeper leave the club in the unfortunate case of relegation, saying: “No, there’s nothing. No verbal agreement.”
The rumours started after Pickford signed a new five-year deal in February, in the midst of a second consecutive relegation battle.
With Pickford's future settled, Dyche will be hoping his form this year can help him steer the club to safety.
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