Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has been backed to retain his position as England number one
Jordan Pickford of England in action during a training session at Stadion HNK Rijeka in Croatia on October 2, 2026
Jordan Pickford of England in action during a training session at Stadion HNK Rijeka in Croatia on October 2, 2026(Image: Eddie Keogh - The FA via Getty Images)
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Everton’s “fantastic” goalkeeper Jordan Pickford won’t have taken well to being dropped by Thomas Tuchel but remains number one reckons a former England international.
Since making his international debut in a goalless draw against Germany at Wembley on November 10, 2017, less than five months after he joined the Blues from Sunderland for £25million, Pickford has been first choice for his country, winning 91 caps and breaking the record for the most World Cup games for an England player (19).
The 32-year-old has also blown Phil Jagielka’s record of the most matches for the Three Lions while with Everton (40) out of the water.
Speaking courtesy of BestBettingSites.co.uk, Kevin Phillips, who won eight England caps and was a prolific striker with Sunderland, netting 30 Premier League goals for them in 1999/2000 under the management of Goodison Park legend Peter Reid, said: “I was a bit surprised he was dropped, if I’m being honest. I don’t think Jordan would have taken it too well or been too happy, because he’s a winner, and I think he’s been fantastic.
“I’ve never criticised Jordan. I think he’s been fantastic for club and country, he never lets them down. So, I still believe he’s the number one.
“But of course, Tuchel is having a look at someone else. So, I was surprised, to be honest.
“Hopefully he’ll be back between the sticks very, very soon. What Jordan can do is go back to Everton and put in fine displays as he always has done, just to remind people that he is England’s number one.”
For the first time it appears Pickford has serious competition for his shirt following James Trafford’s £45million summer switch from Manchester City to Leeds United with the 23-year-old playing regularly at Elland Road.
For the new, extended four-game international break, Tuchel chose to start with the 6ft 6in Cumbrian started the first two matches, a 3-2 home defeat to World Cup winners Spain and 2-0 victory in Czechia, with Pickford restored for this evening’s trip to Croatia and then return home fixture against the Czechs.
Also speaking courtesy of BestBettingSites.co.uk, Alan Smith, capped 13 times for England with two international goals, who won a brace of League Championships with Arsenal plus the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup-Winners’ Cup, netting 115 times in 351 games, said: “I don’t know if Trafford is pushing Pickford or not for that number one spot. He started the last two, played on Tuesday night and has done nothing much wrong.
“So, it’s been great. To play regularly for your club in the Premier League, obviously that helps you, sharpens you up but I still see him as number two with England.
“Pickford has had a brilliant England career, done very little wrong. But for Trafford, yeah, really good news for him.”