Wayne Rooney, by virtue of his trophy-laden career, knows a thing or two about football – and, as a result, people tend to listen when he speaks about the beautiful game. Recently, the striker-turned-pundit singled out one of Thomas Tuchel's England players as being 'underappreciated' and among the best in the world in his position.
Appointed boss of the Three Lions following Gareth Southgate's departure, Tuchel was brought in by the Football Association with one sole objective: to win the 2026 World Cup. Between now and then, however, the German has plenty of decisions to make re: his squad.
Who will flank Harry Kane on either wing? Who will be his starting partnership in the centre of the back line? And, most importantly, how does he plan on fitting Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and the like all into one team? One thing is for sure: all those questions need to be answered prior to the international showpiece getting underway.
Rooney Names 'Underappreciated' England Star in Thomas Tuchel's Ranks
wayne rooney
Another question that some believe needs answering is who Tuchel, widely regarded as one of the best managers in the world, will place between the sticks? Everton's Jordan Pickford has been the go-to choice since the 2018 World Cup but James Trafford, Nick Pope and Dean Henderson are all keen to knock him off his perch.
Although it seems unlikely, a change in management could spell trouble for any player's status among the England national team – and that includes someone as reliable as Pickford, who is 25th in his nation's all-time appearance makers chart.
jordan pickford
Amid all the chat that Washington-born Pickford may no longer be England's primary goalkeeping choice, Rooney has jumped to his defence. "He is underappreciated," the ex-Manchester United and Everton hitman said before adding: "His performances for Everton but more so for England in the big tournaments have been incredible.
"When people talk about keepers worldwide, he doesn't get mentioned that often, but he is definitely up there. He is a great character and great to have in the dressing room. I know Jordan well, and he is great fun to be around. He is certainly someone you want in the dressing room and is not afraid to speak his mind as well, which is always good."
On Tuchel's potential goalkeeping dilemma, former England and Arsenal winger Theo Walcott said: "I don't think any of them have got the same presence as Jordan, who is not just England's best goalkeeper now, he's one of the best goalkeepers we have ever had."
Pickford, now 31 years of age, made his England debut in November 2017 under the stewardship of Southgate – and, since then, he's chalked up a total of 78 appearances between the sticks for the one-time World Cup winners. In major tournaments, unless he's been unavailable, Pickford has simply been undroppable.
Jordan Pickford – England Career
Debut
Age at Debut
Caps
Minutes
Goals Conceded
Clean Sheets
Yellow/Red Cards
Tuchel, in June, told his England squad that no player was indispensable and there's 'a fight for every position' – and that didn't exclude the goalkeeper department – given they need to be at their best to gazump the likes of Spain, Argentina and France next summer.
Peter Shilton, whose tally of 125 caps is the most of any player in England history, is the only goalkeeper with more appearances than Pickford, who has ironed out plenty of weaknesses in his game over the years. Less problematic than he has been in the past, it's no surprise to see that Rooney and the like believe that Pickford's position should be a non-topic.
All statistics per Transfermarkt – correct as of 08/10/2025