Jordan Pickford: England's Goalkeeper and His Evolving Role

Jordan Pickford: England's Goalkeeper and His Evolving Role

Jordan Pickford: England's Goalkeeper and His Evolving Role

Thomas Tuchel has stated that "the race is on" for the position of England's number one goalkeeper, but is Jordan Pickford's position truly under threat? How effective is he?

The 31-year-old Everton goalkeeper is set to break his own record for the England national team, currently shared with the legendary Gordon Banks, if he secures his 79th cap against Wales on Thursday without conceding a goal. This would mark his eighth consecutive clean sheet.

While many of these recent clean sheets have come during one-sided qualifiers, Pickford has already demonstrated his value in high-stakes matches and penalty shootouts during major tournaments.

With insights from former England goalkeepers Paul Robinson and Rob Green, as well as his former Everton teammates Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott, BBC Sport delves into the various facets of Pickford's playing style and his significance to the national team.

'What matters is he makes the save'

In addition to his penalty-saving prowess, Pickford is well-known for his animated presence on the pitch. However, what are the technical strengths and weaknesses that underpin his emotional style, and how do they impact his performance?

Rob Green shared his thoughts with BBC Sport, recalling a conversation with Martyn Margetson, England's former goalkeeping coach. "I asked him whether Pickford is technically better than other goalkeepers. Possibly not, as he has his own flaws and quirks, like every goalkeeper. When facing a shot, he tends to drop his hands wide and low, and his set position can be slightly out of sync. Yet, despite these oddities, what truly matters is that he makes the save," Green explained.

Pickford is rightly recognized for his quick reflexes, but like modern goalkeepers, he is also evaluated on his play with the ball at his feet. "He has certainly improved his overall footwork," Robinson noted. "Jordan has always excelled in long distribution and initiating counter-attacks—few in the Premier League can match him in that regard. He can kick accurately over long distances and is also capable of making shorter passes from the back. He understands his strengths and continues to develop as a goalkeeper."

'He has calmed down a lot'

While Pickford has no glaring weaknesses in preventing goals, his temperament has often been perceived as a concern. Rooney previously noted that Pickford could be "too agitated," particularly when compared to his former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who maintained a calm demeanor.

However, Walcott believes that Pickford has matured over the years, reducing the histrionics that once characterized his play. "Jordan has calmed down significantly—he has matured. Earlier in his career, there were times when he seemed to feel the need to be involved in every play. Now, he understands that his calmness can help stabilize the defense and the entire team. He is no longer involved in unnecessary confrontations, which is a testament to his growth," Walcott said.

Despite this maturity, Green emphasizes that Pickford's emotional intensity remains integral to his game. "Jordan often expresses himself vocally, but he has proven that this approach works for him. He has consistently performed at a high level, and perhaps those who critiqued his emotional outbursts should reconsider their opinions," Green added.

Improved consistency, for club and country

For years, Pickford's on-field demeanor was linked to his performance, with early seasons at Everton seeing both errors and emotional outbursts. However, his recent performances have shown a marked improvement, with significantly fewer mistakes leading to goals for his club and country.

Peter Shilton, who holds the record for the most caps for England, has only been surpassed by Pickford in terms of clean sheets, achieving a clean sheet rate of 50% in his appearances. Since his international debut in 2017, Pickford has made only one error leading to a goal—a misjudged clearance against Belgium in March 2024.

Green pointed out, "The statistic regarding just one mistake leading to a goal highlights the consistency Pickford has achieved for England. This translates to an error rate comparable to just one mistake over two Premier League seasons. The significance of Nations League matches, which feature stronger lineups, has also contributed to this consistency. Jordan has maintained similar high standards with Everton, making both sets of fans grateful for his presence."

'The mentality of being England's number one'

Robinson, who earned 41 caps for England between 2003 and 2007, believes that Pickford's resilience in the face of criticism is a key factor in his continued position as England's first-choice goalkeeper. "Jordan has dedicated himself to improving both his skills and his mindset as England's number one. Playing for the national team comes with immense pressure, but Jordan has managed to silence the critics. The scrutiny he faced earlier in his career has diminished significantly," Robinson remarked.

He added, "While clean sheets are a team effort, Pickford's ability to command his defense, particularly in a struggling Everton side, speaks volumes about his leadership and skill."

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