Following England’s thrilling victory over Slovakia on June 30, the national media analyzed Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s performance. Pickford was unable to keep a clean sheet as Gareth Southgate’s side came dangerously close to elimination from Euro 2024, but a last-gasp equaliser from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane’s extra-time winner eventually set up a quarter-final against Switzerland.
On page 51 of their print edition [1 July], Simon Mullock of the Daily Mirror published a 6/10 rating for the Everton goalkeeper, claiming Pickford was “lucky to escape” when an ambitious shot from David Strelec wound up inches away from catching him out, as well as admitting he had “no chance” for Ivan Schranz’s first-half opener. The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg [30 June] similarly gave Pickford a 6/10 and reiterated the “no chance” message for the Slovakia goal, saying the 30-year-old was “bemused by everything that went on in front of him.”
Malik Ouzia of the Evening Standard [1 July] gave Pickford a 5/10, with only Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo, and Ivan Toney receiving higher marks; Ouzia described Pickford as “usually furious about something, but had a particular right to be here. For much of the game, he was essentially a fan on the field, ripping his hair out over the lack of forward movement.”
Malik Ouzia of the Evening Standard [1 July] gave Pickford a 5/10, with only Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo, and Ivan Toney receiving higher marks; Ouzia described Pickford as “usually furious about something, but had a particular right to be here. For much of the game, he was essentially a fan on the field, ripping his hair out over the lack of forward movement.”
Everton’s Pickford remains a spectator as England push through. Pickford is a significant leadership figure in an England team that is transitioning in terms of experience, as Wayne Rooney [18 June] has confessed, stating that he is surprised at how essential the 65-cap international has become for club and country. Even when there is little to do in his own penalty area, the Everton goalkeeper is consistently energetic and yelling orders at the outfielders in front of him, and you could feel the relief when he took in a late ball from Slovakia with seconds to go, knowing the job was finally done.
Rio Ferdinand remarked [25 June] that Pickford has a “trust problem” with some of his teammates, which causes him to sometimes avoid building from the back. When there are players around him who have less experience in those high-pressure situations, it is acceptable, but based on the four teams’ performances at the Euros thus far, it is difficult to envisage the England team all singing from the same hymn sheet.
But the most essential thing for the Three Lions, as well as Pickford, who trails just Kyle Walker, Harry Kane, and John Stones in terms of caps in Southgate’s side, is that they remain in the tournament.
