Croatia v England - UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Group A3 MD3
RIJEKA, CROATIA - OCTOBER 03: James Trafford and Jordan Pickford of England talk during the warm up before the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Croatia and England at Stadion HNK Rijeka on October 03, 2026 in Rijeka, Croatia. (Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Leeds United goalkeeper James Trafford has been the subject of a huge debate online about who should be England’s No1, him or Jordan Pickford.
Leeds have seldom been able to rely on a goalkeeper in the past two decades, but James Trafford’s first five Premier League games promise a great deal.
And, it begs the question for Trafford himself of whether he’s close to eclipsing England’s long-standing stalwart between the sticks: Jordan Pickford.
National media deliver mixed verdicts on James Trafford, Jordan Pickford goalkeeper debate
Thomas Tuchel clearly thinks it’s a contentious issue. In four Nations League fixtures, Trafford and Pickford shared responsibility equally qwith two games apiece.
However, in entrusting Trafford against European and World Champions Spain, Tuchel was putting a lot of faith in Trafford, whether Everton fans like it or not.
Trafford leaves games vs Spain and Czechia with three goals conceded and then one clean sheet in an uneventful win in Prague. Pickford then stepped in and also had nothing to do against Croatia and Czechia, keeping clean sheets in both.
After victory over Czechia at Wembley, the national media have shared their thoughts on the goalkeeper spot.
The Mirror’s John Cross wrote: “Jordan Pickford 6 – Finishes this international window probably still ahead of James Trafford after their Nations League job share.”
“Jordan Pickford, I get a six for him,” Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett said on Tuesday night. “I thought he looked a little uncomfortable on the ball, struggled a couple of times.
“Never really tested in terms of an attacking threat from Czech Republic, though.”
Paul Robinson spoke to BBC 5 Live, in favour of the Toffees man: “Absolutely, he’s [Pickford] England’s No1 in my opinion.
“He’ll be 34 when the Euro’s come around. We’ve seen it before, England are guilty of taking one heavily-capped ‘keeper to a tournament, and the two or three beneath have single-figure caps.
“You can understand why he’s done that in these Nations League games. But, the question of whether Jordan should be No1, for me it’s not a question. He is England’s No1, regardless of his age and where he’s at.
“He’s gone deep into tournaments, he’s never let England down. And you look at the record he’s got at Everton. There’s only one goalkeeper in Premier League in the last two seasons, David Raya, that has kept more clean sheets.
“For me, it’s Jordan’s for the foreseeable to lose, and I don’t see him losing it any time soon.”
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Can James Trafford shift England narrative with Leeds United form in autumn and winter?
For us Leeds fans, we know what we’re seeing and that’s a goalkeeper that will be the next England No1.
Of course, Pickford has been tremendous for club and country over the past decade, so deserves great respect. However, Tuchel knows that he needs to get Trafford up to speed and ready for the moment that he officially does overtake Pickford.
When that time comes remains to be seen. But, the decision to play Trafford in our first two games after the World Cup disappointment says a lot.
It doesn’t say Tuchel rates Trafford as highly, but it does show that Pickford isn’t alone in being a very good goalkeeper option for England.