Everton and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has been pivotal in the Three Lions’ advance to the EURO 2024 semi-final, but the mission remains unfinished.
Pickford has played every minute of the tournament, delivering stellar performances that have been crucial for England’s success, notably in the quarter-final against Switzerland. After a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes, Pickford saved Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji’s penalty in the shootout, aided by his water bottle, which had details on the opposition’s penalty takers and their preferred directions. With all five of England’s selected penalty takers scoring against Switzerland’s goalkeeper Yann Sommer, England moved into the semi-finals.
While England’s overall performances have had their frustrating moments, Pickford’s passion and intensity have been a consistent source of inspiration and a highlight of the tournament.
Following the round of 16 victory over Slovakia, Dutch TV pundits were less than impressed with his antics. Commentator Wilfred Genee sarcastically remarked, “Did you see how happy he was at the end?” in response to Pickford wasting time by lying down with the ball towards the end of the game.
Pickford debuted internationally in 2017 in a friendly against Germany and has been a cornerstone of England’s defense ever since. He has now made 67 appearances for his country, closing in on Gordon Banks’s record of 73. In this tournament alone, Pickford has maintained an 80% passing accuracy, made 14 saves, and 15 claims. His sweeper-keeper style allows his defenders to press higher up the pitch. Pickford expressed his joy, stating he is “living the dream” during his time in Germany with the England team.
A fan favorite at Everton since his £30m transfer from Sunderland in 2017, Pickford has made 286 appearances for the club. Despite facing criticism, Everton fans recognize his value, considering him one of the best and most underrated goalkeepers for both club and country.
Pickford has addressed the negative comments, stating, “you get criticism, and it is how you deal with that criticism.” He seems to channel the criticism constructively, maintaining his status as England’s number one since his debut.
Although sometimes underappreciated, Pickford’s achievements, including two Premier League Save of the Month awards, the 2021-22 Premier League Save of the Season, and the second-best save percentage in Euros history behind Casillas, highlight his exceptional talent.
As England prepares to face Spain in the final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Pickford, now a more mature player, will be crucial in their quest to end a 57-year wait for a major trophy. The young squad remains optimistic ahead of the challenging match.
