Jordan Pickford added another cap to his England tally in Friday’s victory over Albania.
It was a fairly comfortable evening at Wembley Stadium for the Three Lions in Thomas Tuchel’s first game in charge.
David Moyes will have a keen eye on all of his players over the next few days in hope of no further injury issues.
One player returning from injury featured with Armando Broja praised for his cameo display for Albania against England.
He did only come on as a late substitute as his side chased the game, and he did not quite provide his Everton teammate Pickford any issues.
England have put three points on the board in their World Cup qualifying group for next year’s tournament.
And the national media have shared their review of Pickford’s 90 minutes between the sticks.
Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
Pickford is chasing the England clean sheet record and he was able to add yet another to his name.
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Despite the likes of James Trafford showing fine form in the Championship, Pickford was handed Tuchel’s vote of confidence in keeping his spot in the XI.
But it was a quiet night for the Everton goalkeeper, which saw the English media share their honest assessments on the 31-year-old.
Outlet Comment
Express Had little to do, but still managed to get in a tangle under his own crossbar in the first half.
Telegraph Not much to do by way of shots. There was a freak clearance that landed on the bar but otherwise a case of keeping concentration. If there was doubt over who Tuchel’s No1 was, picking the Everton goalkeeper was a statement
Standard His start suggested he will continue as England’s No1 under Tuchel. Had no saves to make. One of his quieter Wembley outings.
iNews Played a few risky passes short as Albania pressed high in the second half. A new brief from Tuchel, perhaps? Didn’t have a single save to make all night.
Tuchel was warned not to drop Pickford and his trust in the Everton shot-stopper paid off with his first clean sheet as England manager.
There may have been one moment Pickford will not look back on fondly, but it was otherwise a comfortable afternoon between the sticks.
Pickford nails down spot as England’s number one
Although Everton fans will not have needed convincing, it seems there may have been a debate among others over who would be Tuchel’s goalkeeper.
Pickford has enjoyed another stunning season for Everton and has earned some high praise in doing so.
# Player Clean sheets
1 Peter Shilton 66
2 Joe Hart 43
3 David Seamen 40
4 Jordan Pickford 36
5 Gordon Banks 35
The 31-year-old has barely put a foot wrong for the Toffees over the 2024/25 campaign and is certainly a big part of the impressive defensive record at Goodison Park.
With two to his name, Pickford has saved the most penalties in the Premier League this season.
He did not face as much of a challenge at Wembley, but he did not give Tuchel any reason to look to his other goalkeepers.