The Stoke City and Everton goalkeepers both have their merits, but Pickford appears a better fit for Gareth Southgate’s side.
Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland appear to be neck and neck in the race to be England’s starting goalkeeper at this year’s World Cup.
Both players have been tipped for bright international futures but neither have excelled at club level this season, giving Gareth Southgate a tough choice to make ahead of heading to Russia in June.
But the decision might have become a little clearer on Tuesday night as Butland was given a chance against Italy.
The Stoke City goalkeeper did not blow his big opportunity, but there was a clear contrast with the confident, comfortable England performance at Netherlands just days earlier.
One of the key features of Southgate’s side is their intention to pass out from the back, something they did with ease with Everton’s Pickford – a talented footballer – deployed between the sticks.
With Butland – a more traditional goalkeeper – selected, he too often kicked the ball long, losing possession, instead of looking to play out from the back in the way Southgate clearly wants.
It hindered England’s play and was obvious to fans, so no doubt it will have been clear to Southgate, too.
Given that his entire squad selection has been based around this ball-playing system, surely Southgate’s decision has been made for him now.
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