Jordan Pickford's classy act following England's harrowing World Cup exit underlined his emergence as a leader during a dramatic 2022 for club and country.
Pickford's performances have been top class through the last 12 months and beyond - as crucial to Everton's Premier League survival as they were to England's progress in Qatar and the past two major tournaments. His rise as a dressing room talisman has been more of a surprise, though.
Frank Lampard became the first manager to hand Pickford the captaincy in his senior career in April. Since then he has consolidated his position as a key personality at Everton - and his instinct to protect Harry Kane at the height of the Tottenham Hotspur striker's devastation suggests he has made similar strides for his national side.
EXCLUSIVE: Nathan Patterson makes honest Everton injury admission as defender eyes up latest return
EXCLUSIVE: Inside the mind of Jordan Pickford with the man who knows him better than any other
When the cameras found Kane following the final whistle, Pickford was already consoling his team0mate on the pitch at the Al Bayt Stadium in the aftermath of the 2-1 defeat to France. They were therefore rolling when he spotted them and called on the crew to back off and show some "respect" to Kane, whose late missed penalty had represented England's best chance at salvaging the game.
The England skipper had already beaten Hugo Lloris from the spot once but sent his second penalty over the bar with minutes left in an absorbing game. Pickford's compassion was recorded and clips of it went viral on social media, his actions earning a substantial amount of praise.
While this was a split second reaction on international duty, the 28-year-old's personality has been increasingly valued at home. Lampard gave him the armband for the first time at Turf Moor in the relegation battle that ultimately ended in defeat for the Blues - paving the way for the nerve-shredding conclusion to the season. It was a significant landmark for Pickford, who later told me : "It was good. It was the first time captaining the club and first time being captain in my career, so it was a nice moment. I always say you need more than one captain in the team... If you had 11 leaders on the pitch, it would be amazing but you’ve got to lead in your own way. I feel like I try to be a leader in my way.
"Sometimes it looks like I’m shouting ridiculously but it’s that talking and information and trying to lead in that manner. The more leaders you have in the team, the better."
Lampard has spoken of Pickford maturing during his reign and had no hesitation when starting the new season with his goalkeeper wearing the armband while club captain Seamus Coleman recovered from injury and fought to get into the side. That was despite the arrival of another leader, James Tarkowski, over the summer, and then the deal that brought Conor Coady to the club.
Just like he has spent the World Cup answering critics of his ability - his two stunning saves against Senegal crucial to England's progress to the quarter final - Pickford has been showcasing his personal development, concluding with that show of compassion for Kane.
For one of the professionals who knows him best, that poignant scene on Saturday night will come as little surprise. Everton goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly, who also worked with Pickford during his loan spell at Preston from Sunderland when he was much younger, recently told me out in Australia that he was a captain who "says what needs to be said at the right time. He doesn’t go over the top, you know, doesn't put on the show.”
READ NEXT:
-
Dele Alli backed to make 'great contribution' at Besiktas by ex-Everton team-mate
- Former Everton staff member slams 'absolute nonsense' rumours about James Rodriguez
-
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Yerry Mina hit the gym as Everton return to training
- Andros Townsend gives 'honest' Goncalo Ramos verdict as Portugal star linked with Everton transfer
- Carlo Ancelotti doubles down on Richarlison Everton praise amid Real Madrid transfer links
