Our Everton jury return to have their say on the international break and Thomas Tuchel's decision not to play Jordan Pickford in England's games against Spain and the Czech Republic
Jordan Pickford and Thomas Tuchel
Jordan Pickford and Thomas Tuchel(Image: (Robin Jones/Getty Images))
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Everton currently find themselves in the middle of an international break. The Blues don’t return to action until a week on Sunday when they take on Hull City.
And while some members of David Moyes’ squad have been working hard at Finch Farm, others have been representing their respective nations on international duty. On Monday, it was confirmed that Man City was found guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of Premier League financial rules by an independent commission.
The eight-time Premier League champions face severe sanctions, although City remain defiant and immediately declared their intention to appeal. And our Everton jury have returned to have their say.
READ MORE: How every Premier League table looks with Man City results void as Liverpool and Everton wronged
James Kellett
Since 2017, Jordan Pickford has held tightly to his starting role in the England setup, and not a single goalkeeper has come close to replicating his magical work in between the sticks. Until now.
Following a heartbreaking but encouraging World Cup campaign for the Three Lions, they began the 2026-27 Nations League with an almighty task against the reigning world champions, Spain.
One would think that Thomas Tuchel would have opted to field his strongest side, which includes Pickford, but the German decided to start James Trafford, who has impressed following his move to Leeds United in the summer.
It was revealed that the 23-year-old would also start the following game against Czechia, where he managed to keep a clean sheet, as Tuchel wanted to give both Trafford and Pickford a fair share of gametime, having announced that Everton’s star man is set to start their final two matches of the international break.
Jordan Pickford talks to Thomas Tuchel
Jordan Pickford talks to Thomas Tuchel(Image: (Robin Jones/Getty Images))
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The decision to slightly change things up in net has come as a bit of a surprise, but England’s manager cannot be criticised for testing new methods, particularly considering the age gap between the two keepers. This current situation could be beneficial for the Toffees and, in turn, bring out an even better version of their number one goalkeeper.
Pickford has gone nearly a decade as England’s superior goalkeeping option, and that in itself is an achievement, but the introduction of competition to his starting role means there is no potential for complacency creeping into the mindset of the 32-year-old.
Even though the ex-Sunderland man has never shown signs of complacency and has in fact appeared to have gotten better the longer he has played for his country, there is nothing wrong with some healthy competition, and the potential of Trafford snatching his starting role could make him an even sharper keeper.
Trafford is the likely successor to Pickford, but we are all left with the question of when this handover will take place. Yet what is certain is that Everton’s goalkeeper will not want to give up his starting position lightly, and with the aim of preserving this, Evertonians could see one of their star men take his game to another level.
Paul McParlan
For those of a certain age, the word 'interlude' conjures up memories of black and white short silent film clips shown on TV before the main programmes started. Most times it featured a potter working at his kiln, which you sat through patiently until the cartoons started at 4pm.
The current hiatus in league football due to the international break seems similar to enduring the interlude while we wait to start watching Everton again. I have no problem with international football, but I feel this particular set of Nations League fixtures has come around far too early in the season.
We have only played five Premier League matches so far, and suddenly it grinds to a halt. It is only eight weeks since the World Cup ended; surely, we could have scheduled the Nations League for the end of October instead?
Also, did we really need a three-week hiatus? The next home game will be on October 17, a full month after the Ipswich Town match. For me personally, this break has come at the wrong time.
I am missing my regular fix of Everton, my match day routines and sunny Saturday afternoons on the Hill Dickinson Plaza. We saw in the World Cup with the introduction of advertising and, sorry, rehydration breaks that the momentum of a game could suddenly change after the restart. I always fear that something similar could happen to Everton.
Fans browse through merchandise inside the Everton FC Heritage Society shop before the match between Everton and Ipswich Town at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 19, 2026
Fans browse through merchandise inside the Everton FC Heritage Society shop before the match between Everton and Ipswich Town at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 19, 2026(Image: Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
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We are in a decent vein of form at present, and then the players disappear for three weeks. It can’t help matters. David Moyes must find it so frustrating that when he has found a way to climb the table with a limited squad, he has to start the process again when the league restarts.
In the background there is always the threat of an unexpected injury. Even though Jarrad Branthwaite and James Garner had limited game time on Saturday, I worried whenever they touched the ball. Harrison Armstrong, Tyler Dibling and Tyrique George have all made an excellent start to the campaign, but now they are off with the England under-21 side, and I am praying that they come back unscathed.
I check the Wales and Republic of Ireland reports to make sure that Brennan Johnson and Jake O’Brien have avoided any problems. It really is no good for my mental health.
I somehow managed to watch the Northern Ireland v Hungary game on Monday night, and it made me pine for the days of the potter and his kiln on the television during the interlude.
Thankfully, our game at Hull City will be here soon, and hopefully all those away with their national teams will return fully fit. And then, just when we get used to watching Everton again, there is another Nations League break in November. I might sign up for a pottery course.
Mark McParlan
We’re halfway through the international break now. Disappointing to see none of the three Everton lads in action against the Czech Republic, but keeps them all injury-free. Jake O’Brien, Brennan Johnson and Vitalii Mykolenko have been regulars for their national sides.
In the meantime, Non-League provides my football fix during the long break. Marine have won four on the bounce in all competitions and face Warrington Town at home in a much-anticipated local-ish clash in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying round on Saturday, 3pm. The winner is one match from the first round proper.
Domestic ‘football’ discussion has rolled on thanks to the Manchester City verdict from the Premier League. Casting my mind to our two PSR breaches received in 2023/24, the first period breach saw a deduction of 10 (reduced on appeal to six) points, and the second saw two deducted.
David Moyes (left) speaks to Pep Guardiola during Everton's match against Manchester City
David Moyes speaks to Pep Guardiola during Everton's match against Manchester City last season(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
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At the minimum, we’re looking at a precedent of approximately four points deduction per breach, so multiplied by City’s breaches, we reach the equivalent of 400 plus points. For me, they should be expelled from the Football League entirely.
Given that our points deductions in the 2023/24 season for two breaches effectively plunged us into a relegation battle, a points deduction causing relegation for Manchester City would be an inadequate punishment considering their 114 breaches.
I’m also mildly bitter, as in our case there was no gap between being found guilty and the punishment being immediately meted out, whereas I fear this could drag on. They should probably draw the line at redistributing any titles, though!
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