Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has claimed that Jordan Pickford is still the Three Lions’ number one, despite his recent downturn in form.
The Everton stopper endured a torrid afternoon at St. James’ Park on Saturday, and was fortunate to stay on the pitch after a poor challenge on Newcastle United forward Salomon Rondon.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, however, Robinson suggested that Gareth Southgate should keep faith with the 25-year-old.
He said: “I don’t think he’s playing the best that he’s ever played, clearly I don’t think he’s at the top of his game because he’s set himself such a high bar.
“I genuinely think he’s England’s No 1 goalkeeper at the moment. Is he the best in the Premier League? There are probably a few goalkeepers in better form than him at the moment. But is he England’s No 1 for the next internationals? Absolutely, yes he is. He’s earned that right.”
OPINION
It’s not easy being a goalkeeper, especially when things aren’t going your way. Whereas other positions on the field might be able to get away with the odd blunder here and there, nine times out of 10, when a keeper makes an error, it can be fatal for his side. Pickford is finding this out the hard way, and it just feels like, in recent weeks, his mistakes are beginning to mount up against him. His latest outing against Newcastle on Saturday hinted at a more troubling root to his recent form. The manner in which he allowed his emotions to get the better of him, and the way that he taunted the Toon fans in the aftermath of that contentious challenge on Rondon, gave the impression of a player who was letting the occasion get ahead of his professionalism. Obviously, as a Sunderland fan, playing at St. James’ was always going to be an intense challenge for him, but if he allows that hotheadedness to bleed into his other performances, the 25-year-old could be in a lot of trouble.