Former Everton goalkeeper Andy Lonergan feels that if England wins the Euro 2024 final on Sunday, Jordan Pickford will cement his place as the country’s best goalie ever. Gareth Southgate’s men face Spain in Berlin on Sunday, looking to win the country’s first major international prize since 1966. It is England’s second European Championship final in a row, and the fourth time they have advanced to at least the semi-finals of a competition under Southgate, who previously led the Three Lions to the final four of the 2018 World Cup and the 2018/19 Uefa Nations League.
Everton goalkeeper Pickford has been England’s undisputed No.1 over that time, playing a critical role in their deep runs at international tournaments, saving at least one penalty in all four shootouts he’s appeared in — a total of five saves — and making a number of key saves in crucial circumstances. One of those saves came against Manuel Akanji in England’s 5-3 shootout victory over Switzerland in the quarter-finals, and the former Sunderland player has two clean sheets and 14 saves this tournament. All that remains is for Pickford — who has 67 caps — to help England achieve long-awaited international triumph, and if he does, he will be his country’s greatest-ever goalkeeper, according to former teammate Lonergan.
“At the time, David Seaman was exceptional. Joe Hart, who does not receive the recognition he deserves, was fantastic. Lonergan, who was Everton’s backup goalkeeper for three years before joining Wigan Athletic this summer, believes Jordan is the greatest he’s seen, according to the official Toffees website. “The squad has improved, reaching finals and semi-finals, but he must be the best. He’s the most successful, and if he wins this, I believe it solidifies his position.”As expected, he has been consistent and trustworthy throughout the competition. The important thing for me is that when called upon to make big saves, he delivers. It’s no surprise to me that he’s performing so well.” Lonergan slams ‘lazy’ Pickford detractors.
Along with his international achievements, Pickford has helped Everton stay in the Premier League in recent years. Last season was undoubtedly his best yet, with the 30-year-old coming second only to Arsenal’s David Raya (16) in Premier League clean sheets (13), despite being required to make 121 saves, the sixth-most in the league. Nonetheless, some people do not consider Pickford to be one of the best goalkeepers of his generation. Something Lonergan simply cannot comprehend.
“Jordan’s standards every day are phenomenal,” the 40-year-old added. “He’s a terrific model for me to learn from and pass on to the keepers I’m currently working with. England’s No.1 works at a high level every day, so that’s what they should aim for. “There’s a story about him that is simply sloppy journalism and people hopping on a bandwagon. I’ve always thought that whoever was England’s number one was under a lot of strain. “I’m not sure how he doesn’t feel it mentally. But it does not. He has incredible mental strength. He is confident in his abilities.
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