‘A lot of question marks’: Mark Schwarzer delivers verdict on Everton’s Jordan Pickford

Follow us on Google Discover

Mark Schwarzer has hailed Everton and England number one, Jordan Pickford, for his performances this season and how he is back to his ‘very best’.

The legendary Premier League goalkeeper, who made 514 appearances in England’s top flight, stated that there were previously ‘a lot of question marks’ over Jordan Pickford.

But he thinks all of that is now behind him and, along with his England teammates, Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope, they are all performing very well this season for their respective clubs.

For many, many years now, Pickford has been the main guy in between the sticks for England, with Gareth Southgate selecting him as number one at the 2018 World Cup, Euro 2020 and the most recent, 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

But it could be argued, heading into Euro 2024, this is the strongest competition Pickford has had given how Ramsdale and Pope are performing at Arsenal and Newcastle, respectively.

Either way, the 29-year-old Everton star is a player that Schwarzer really admires, as he told the Football Show on Sky Sports News (12/04/23).

“I think the three England goalkeepers, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope, I think all three have performed well this season,” said Schwarzer.

“I think Jordan Pickford is getting back to his very best form. He went through a very shaky period of about 18 months. Then there were a lot of question marks as to whether he was England’s number one. I think he has reaffirmed that.

“The fact that he goes into the England side and never makes a mistake is, for Gareth Southgate, enough. He has proven in the past that he is prepared to stick by that. I think there is a really healthy competition for places.”

WHO WILL BE NUMBER ONE IN GERMANY?

The next major tournament is already upon us, with the old enemy Germany set to host Euro 2024.

Pickford has always been number one for England, but if Ramsdale and Pope go down their current path, then the noise from the outside will only grow.

It also needs to be noted that the duo might just be playing Champions League football next season, so that will only take their game up a few levels.