Everton legend Neville Southall has tipped Jordan Pickford to win them the crucial three points needed for their Premier League survival in Thursday night’s game against Crystal Palace in a recent interview.
The Toffees have endured a disappointing campaign as they currently face a relegation battle with Leeds United and Burnley. Everton are currently sitting 16th in the table, just two points off the drop zone with two games left against Palace and Arsenal.
They have been disappointing to fans and others around the sport all season, with their most recent 3-2 defeat to Brentford exemplifying their horrid campaign, after taking the lead but being unable to keep it due to two red cards.
However, despite the poor form, there is one man who can keep the hopes of survival alive, according to former ‘keeper and club legend Southall. He believes goalkeeper Pickford can be the man to win them the three points on Thursday and guarantee their safety for another season.
He stated in an interview with Sky Sports News: “He’s done nothing wrong for Everton.
“He could be our match-winner tonight, but hopefully, he won’t have to touch the ball.”
TIF Thoughts on Pickford…
The England international has enjoyed a successful period of playing time with the Merseyside club since his arrival back in 2017, having made 198 appearances in this time with 58 clean sheets to his name (Transfermarkt).
However, despite that run of games, he has come under criticism throughout his time on Merseyside. Former Manchester United captain and Sky Sports analyst Roy Keane slammed Pickford as a bad player, claiming: “The bottom line with Pickford, I don’t need to see the stats… I know he’s not a good goalkeeper. He’s not up to it.”
The English goalkeeper ranks in the 75th percentile for post-shot expected goals per shot on target, which is based on how likely a goalkeeper is to save a shot.
Meanwhile, he is in the 94th percentile of passes launched – longer than 40 meters – and in the 96th percentile of the average length of goal kicks which sits at 64.6 meters, which perhaps proves he is one of the best distributing goalkeepers in Europe (stats via FBRef).
Everton still have a lot of work to do to secure their Premier League survival, but having a shot-stopper and leader like Pickford should give them a boost going into this crucial period as Southall implies.
Is Pickford Everton's best player?Yes
No
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