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Jordan Pickford Unfazed by Criticism: "Just Need to Keep Playing Well for Everton"

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the longest-serving England goalkeeper in history, Jordan Pickford has developed a thick skin to the scrutiny that comes with wearing the Three Lions. Despite being the subject of a "witch hunt" in the national media, the Everton shot-stopper remains focused on performing at his best for both club and country. With a remarkable 76 caps to his name, Pickford is now second only to Peter Shilton in the England goalkeeping charts.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pickford has kept a clean sheet in a competitive match for England only once, with the exception of his 60th appearance against Belgium on March 24, 2024, according to Opta statistics.
  • The goalkeeper has saved at least one penalty in each of four shootouts for England, including two in the European Championship final against Italy in 2021.
  • Pickford has also broken Shilton's record for the most clean sheets for an England goalkeeper in major tournaments.
  • He has not conceded three goals in any of his last 56 games for England, in contrast to Dean Henderson, who conceded three goals in just his second start for the national team against Senegal in June.
  • Only Harry Kane, in Pickford's opinion, is immune to scrutiny in an England shirt.
  • Pickford believes there is a strong domestic pool of goalkeeping talent in England, despite the majority of first-choice keepers in the English top flight being from overseas.
  • He welcomes the prospect of Paris Saint-Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma joining the Premier League, citing the Italian international's impressive performance against Arsenal last season.
  • Pickford emphasizes the importance of individual goalkeepers developing their own strengths and skills, rather than aspiring to emulate others.

Statistics:

  • 76: the number of times Pickford has played for England.
  • 60: the appearance at which Pickford committed his only mistake against Belgium, according to Opta statistics.
  • 4: the number of shootouts in which Pickford has saved at least one penalty.
  • 56: the number of games in which Pickford has not conceded three goals for England.
  • 2021: the year in which Pickford saved two penalties in the European Championship final against Italy.
  • 2019: the year in which Pickford scored a penalty in a 6-5 victory over Switzerland in a shootout.
  • 3-1: the score in England's loss against Senegal, in which Dean Henderson conceded three goals in just his second start for the national team.

Sources:

  • Opta statistics (no date provided)
  • The Late Kevin Campbell (no date provided)
  • Neville Southall (no date provided)
  • Jordan Pickford interview (no date provided)

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