Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford came in for criticism following England's heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals
Jordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford helped England reach the semi-final of the World Cup(Image: Julian Finney - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has explained what “unsettles” him about Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Souness was speaking after England’s defeat to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday night, where the Three Lions lost 2-1 to the defending champions in Atlanta.
Pickford started in goal for England throughout the tournament and played a key role in helping England reach the semi-final, keeping clean sheets in the draw with Ghana and the win over Panama.
It was during the win over Norway that Pickford broke the record set by Peter Shilton of the most appearances for England at the World Cup (18), and extended that by featuring in the defeat to Argentina.
During the crushing loss in Atlanta, Pickford made several important saves before Enzo Fernandez equalised from range to cancel out Anthony Gordon’s opener. He has suffered criticism from some, such as Jamie Carragher, for his failure to stop Fernandez's strike, given it was from 25 yards out. There was little he could do about Lautaro Martinez's header to win it.
Souness has now explained why he was concerned by Pickford’s performances for England at the World Cup.
"I think he had a good tournament, but it unsettles me watching him - rich coming from a Scotsman - where he comes out and his arms are all waving and he's 20 yards outside of his box,” Souness said on World Cup Uncensored.
"The thing that I dislike about him, and I think is a fault in his game, is all the top goalkeepers really know where they are every moment between the posts, and I don't think he does.
"I think the goal against Norway, I think he could get a hand on that. I think he thinks it's going wide and he leaves it because he's not quite sure of his angles.
Jordan Pickford received a mixture of praise and criticism after England's World Cup exit
Jordan Pickford received a mixture of praise and criticism after England's World Cup exit
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"The first goal (against Argentina), the ball goes down the right, he's in goal over that side as the ball goes to Fernandez, he doesn't shuffle across enough. It doesn't go in the far corner, it's relatively central.
"I just think he's never quite sure of his positioning. At a shot on his goal you see him diving, and it can be 10 feet wide."
It now remains to be seen if Pickford will start in goal for England in the third-place play-off against France on Saturday, or if manager Thomas Tuchel will give minutes to James Trafford or Dean Henderson.