Before we get started, we just want to say that Jordan Pickford is almost definitely our first choice as England’s No 1 this summer.
The Everton goalie is not just ‘the best of a bad bunch’ – he’s performed admirably for the Toffees this season in what has been an resoundingly difficult campaign.
Reuters Man in the spotlight[/caption]
But even so, we can’t help but notice that Pickford has conceded the most amount of goals in the Premier League this season.
In fact, Pickford has let in 53 goals in the league so far, after Man City’s 3-1 defeat of Everton at Goodison Park.
That’s more than Huddersfield’s Jonas Lossl (52) and (rather depressingly) England’s other option Jack Butland (51).
Reuters A regular sight this season[/caption]
He wasn’t too hot last season either, conceding 50 times for Sunderland as the Black Cats finished bottom of the Premier League.
We reckon had he started between the sticks ahead of Vito Mannone at the start of last season, then he probably would’ve finished behind Lukasz Fabianski (69) and Heurelho Gomes (64).
That’s mildly terrifying, when you think about it.
Rex Features He had a rough time last term, too[/caption]
But his manager Sam Allardyce has argued that his goals-conceded tally reflects the team’s general struggles this season and not the goalkeeper’s form.
He said: “He’s given Gareth a lot to think about with his performance the other night and his performances for us.
“People go on about him conceding a lot of goals for Everton but that is not the statistic you look at.
“You look at the saves he makes. He’s been far too busy on too many occasions for us but we have managed to reduce that during my time here from over two goals per game to 1.2 per game.
“He’s there when needed, he’s always been there when needed. All players make mistakes but his are few and far between.”
AFP or licensors Ahead of this guy[/caption]
Indeed, Pickford has been one of the few highlights of Everton’s grim campaign and has seen himself rise above Joe Hart as England’s first-choice, starting against Holland in the recent 1-0 win in Amsterdam.
Granted. Pickford didn’t have the busiest of nights against the Oranje in terms of having to make saves, but he seems to ooze confidence and is lovely with the ball at his feet.
Just look at this right here.
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