Matt Murray has aired some criticism of Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford following the recent high-profile mistakes from the Toffees shot-stopper.
Speaking exclusively to This Is Futbol, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper discussed the England number one’s errors for the Toffees.
“Jordan Pickford, ever since he’s come into Everton, commanded a big price tag at the time, but he’s very robust and he plays week in, week out whether it’s in the cup, whether it’s in the league – you can see he loves playing.
“He does well for England as well, but there have been some high-profile errors,” Murray told This is Futbol.
“Carlo Ancelotti, you can see that he felt the midfield was his biggest priority, so he’s addressed that, and I’m sure, looking at the money he’s been allowed to spend, that if he does feel that Pickford’s performances aren’t quite as consistent as he likes – because with his Italian background, if you like – he will know how important that rock of defence is.
“I feel that you can definitely see he’s worked at certain bits of his game, but there are still those lapses in concentration.”
Heading into the latest round of Premier League games, the English goalkeeper has made seven appearances in the Premier League but kept just one clean sheet and conceded 12 goals (per Transfermarkt).
Following a blunder against Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this season, it was reported that the 26-year-old had made 11 errors leading to goals since the 2017/18 season (per Daily Mail).
That total of 11 errors leading to goals is more than any other goalkeeper has made in the top flight over the same time period.
Should Jordan Pickford be replaced?
No, he's good enough
Yes, he's not good enough
Murray added: “Up at Sunderland, he made save, after save, after save, but it’s a different expectation level on Everton now, to break into that top six.
“So, I’m very sure he’ll get the season, especially with [the pandemic] and everything else and Everton having to plan their budget, but because they’ve got such ambitious owners [and] you’ve got, for me, one of the best managers in world football, then he won’t be afraid to make that tough decision.
“There will be no loyalty or nostalgia or anything like that. He’s backed him publicly, he’s given him plenty of time to play, but if there are too many errors this season, then I could see Jordan Pickford being replaced.”
During the 17/18 season, Pickford made the joint-sixth-most errors leading to goals for a goalkeeper with two; in 18/19, he made the joint-second-most with four – and in 19/20, he made the second-most with four again (per Premier League).
So, it will be interesting to see if Murray’s prediction rings true in the long run if Pickford makes the same number of mistakes leading to goals this term as in the previous two seasons.#
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