Everton have not seen many notable successes in recent years, except for a few standout performances from unlikely heroes during challenging times. Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dwight McNeil have shouldered most of the goalscoring responsibility amid relegation battles, albeit with limited success, while James Tarkowski has been a consistent presence in defense during this difficult period.

Undoubtedly, the most crucial player still at Goodison Park is Jordan Pickford. The £30m goalkeeper has been instrumental in earning vital points for the Toffees, yet remains underappreciated. Fortunately, the 30-year-old is starting to receive more positive media attention.

Ian Wright praises Jordan Pickford
On his podcast, Wright’s House, former Arsenal and Crystal Palace striker Ian Wright discussed recent football events, highlighting England’s performance in Euro 2024, which has been a major talking point.

Gareth Southgate’s position as manager appears increasingly unstable with each poor performance. Regardless of the outcome of the competition, his future seems uncertain. However, with some luck, this could be England’s moment, and if they succeed, they will owe a lot to Pickford. Wright remarked: “For the Everton fans who support him, he gets a lot of criticism from fans and pundits throughout the season. But you know what? They always say Gareth picks him because he has never let Gareth down. We needed one save in the penalty shootout, and he delivered it. Honestly, Jordan, well done.”

This praise followed England’s penalty shoot-out win over Switzerland, where Pickford was commended for his penalty tactics and what he had written on his bottle.

Everton’s Jordan Pickford remains underappreciated
Pickford must wonder what more he needs to do to gain wider appreciation. Despite his sometimes abrasive personality, particularly his mid-match celebrations, he has consistently performed well. He has excelled under various Everton managers and has translated this form to the national team, rescuing England on multiple occasions.

He holds numerous goalkeeping records, further highlighting his excellence. Pickford has surpassed the successes of legends like Peter Shilton, Gordon Banks, and David Seaman, and winning a trophy with England would solidify his legacy.

Hopefully, he can continue to play a pivotal role for both club and country and finally receive the recognition he deserves from the broader public.