Former striker and current Sky Sports pundit Dion Dublin has been left raving over the communication skills of Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford after impressing for both club and country in 2018.
The shot stopper has become first choice for Gareth Southgate on the international stage and helped the Three Lions to qualify for the Nations League semi-finals with victory over Croatia.
Reviewing the leadership qualities the squad possess as a whole, Dublin picked out Pickford as one man who was crucial to the side, insisting that his none-stop communication meant his defenders were alwas alert.
He told Sky Sports’ The Debate (19/11, 22:30): “The goalkeeper Pickford, he doesn’t stop talking which is great.
“As a centre half, with my centre half’s hat on, when you can hear your keeper on and on and on and on, you can’t switch off.”
Opinion
Pickford came under plenty of scrutiny when he first stepped into the England squad, having been the only impressive member of a bitterly disappointing Sunderland squad, although he made a serious impression after his move to Everton, winning the club’s player of the year last season. Now he is one of, if not the, first names on the team sheet for both the Toffees and the Three Lions and his communication skills have been paramount to his success between the sticks. Yes, he is a quality shot stopper who commands his box with a great presence – not to mention the fact he is good with his feet – but by marshalling his back line to remain as impenetrable as possible he is likely to face less shots and other goal scoring chances which would require him to make a save. He might be a little hoarse by the end of a game but keeping his defenders on their toes ensures more chance of success for him and his teammates – a worthy price to pay.