Everton’s Jordan Pickford was in action on Saturday afternoon for England in their World Cup Qualifier against Andorra.
David Moyes will have everything crossed that his players return to Finch Farm without any further injury issues.
Vitaliy Mykolenko has picked up a fresh injury issue and has returned from the Ukraine camp already.
It has been an excellent start to the 2025/26 campaign for Everton, but injuries are certainly proving an issue early on in the term.
One man who has gotten through his first game of the break unscathed is Pickford, who came up against Andorra at Villa Park.
Everton are set to offer Pickford a new contract to reward him for his consistent performances on Merseyside.
Having kept another clean sheet for the Three Lions, the English media reacted to what was a quiet night for the 31-year-old goalkeeper.
England v Andorra - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier
Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Gary Lineker backed Pickford as England’s number one, despite some suggestions he could be coming under pressure.
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Amid the talk about his spot between the sticks, the Everton goalkeeper continues to excel for the Three Lions.
It has to be said that Saturday was not Pickford’s most testing outing under Thomas Tuchel, but he had to remain alert.
Metro very simply said: ‘A very, very quiet game for the England goalkeeper with not much to do. Andorra didn’t have a single shot on goal.’
The I Paper said very similar, with a clear response to Pickford’s afternoon: ‘A clean sheet was never in doubt against a team that have now gone 15 games without a goal.’
This was never going to be the game where Pickford would come under pressure, but the Daily Express said: ‘Had little to do but another clean sheet in the books further cements Jordan Pickford’s place as number one ahead of the World Cup.’
Carlo Ancelotti once told Pickford to play more instinctively, and Saturday evening certainly saw the 31-year-old forced to remain focused.
England are next in action on Tuesday night against Serbia in Belgrade, where Pickford will expect a much greater challenge.
Pickford enjoyed a quiet afternoon against Andorra
Everton rejected interest from Fenerbahce and Galatasaray in Pickford earlier this summer, with the goalkeeper intent on remaining on Merseyside.
Pickford has made a bright start to the new campaign, having saved a penalty against Brighton & Hove Albion and keeping a clean sheet in that game.
Declan Rice has praised Pickford previously whilst on international duty with the Everton shot-stopper, but Saturday did not prove a test.
90 minutes played
16/19 accurate passes
0 saves
24 touches
With another clean sheet under his belt, Pickford will not have his eyes firmly set on Tuesday night’s game over in Serbia.