Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has told The Guardian that Jordan Pickford is ‘not doing well’ ahead of today’s clash with Aston Villa.
The Toffees were hammered 3-0 at Wolves on Sunday afternoon, and look to be ending the season with a whimper.
A number of Everton players have been off colour of late, and the main one has been goalkeeper Pickford.
Mistakes have been very noticeable in Pickford’s game since the restart, with a number of them going unpunished in terms of opposition failing to capitalise.
He spilled one Daniel Podence shot in the Wolves game before just about managing to claw the ball off the line, and then stuck his tongue out to the camera in a moment that annoyed many Everton fans.
Pickford has little competition at Everton, but with Nick Pope and Dean Henderson impressing this season, he could yet lose his spot as England’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Now, Everton boss Ancelotti has admitted that Pickford is ‘not doing well’, and has told him in no uncertain terms that he needs to improve.
Ancelotti noted that he has confidence in Pickford’s ability and character, and is now expecting an improvement in the final three games of the season – starting this evening.
“He’s not doing well,” said Ancelotti. “I spoke to him about this yesterday. There is absolutely no problem. For the quality that he has, and he agreed, he has to be better. He has to be focused on himself, on his performance, day by day to be better. I’m not so worried because he has quality, he has character, but I have to say to him, and I did say to him, that he has to improve.”
“I and everyone else at the club has total confidence in his quality. It is true he can do better and he knows this because he is critical of himself. I hope there is improvement in the next games,” he added.
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