It's high time we give England's goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, the credit he truly deserves. While he may not always be the most talked-about player in the team, his consistent performances for both Everton and the national side speak for themselves. In the last two Premier League seasons, Pickford's clean sheet record of 23 is second only to David Raya, the keeper with Premier League champions Arsenal, who has 32. This is a remarkable achievement, especially considering the different styles of play between Everton and Arsenal.
In his 89 England games, Pickford has conceded 59 goals and kept 44 clean sheets while making, as measured by Opta statistics, only two errors that have led to goals. These numbers are impressive, and yet, as former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson points out, Pickford's contribution has often been undervalued. Robinson believes that Pickford's experience and competitive caps are invaluable, especially in major tournaments. He says, 'He is only second behind David Raya in the last two seasons for clean sheets and they are playing for very different teams.'
Pickford has been England's first-choice tournament keeper since the 2018 World Cup, where they lost in the semi-final to Croatia in Moscow. His performances in these tournaments have been so consistent that Robinson says, 'I think he's the first name on the team sheet. There is nobody else.' This is a testament to his reliability and the trust he has built within the team.
However, Pickford's World Cup 2026 campaign got off to an uncertain start. He was at fault when DR Congo took the lead against England in Atlanta, but he redeemed himself with a brilliant performance against Mexico. In the pressure cooker of the Azteca, Pickford had his finest game for England, with two brilliant first-half saves from Mexico striker Raul Jimenez, followed by an outstanding display of penalty-area command in a frantic second period. Robinson praised Pickford's bravery and maturity, saying, 'He showed the way his game has developed by coming off his line, making those decisions, making big bold calls.'
Pickford's performance against Mexico can boost England's confidence as they try to overcome the dangerous Norwegians and master striker Erling Haaland, who demonstrated their threat by beating Brazil 2-0 in the last 16. In my opinion, Pickford's confidence will be at an all-time high, and the team's will be as well after their win against Mexico. This is a crucial moment for England, and Pickford's performance could be the turning point they need.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the way Pickford has evolved as a goalkeeper. He has taken it upon himself to take the initiative and make bold decisions, which has made life easier for his defenders. This is a significant change from his earlier career, and it shows his maturity and bravery. Personally, I think Pickford's performance against Mexico was a masterclass in goalkeeping, and it could be the making of him as a player.
In conclusion, Jordan Pickford is a goalkeeper who deserves more credit than he often gets. His consistent performances for both club and country are a testament to his skill and reliability. As England looks to overcome Norway and Erling Haaland, Pickford's confidence and maturity will be crucial. From my perspective, he is a key player for England, and his performance against Mexico could be the turning point they need to go all the way.
