The Toffees keeper is once again in the spotlight following his display against Newcastle in the Premier League last time out.
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford found himself under the spotlight once again after his display in the 3-2 loss at Newcastle United last weekend.
In Saturday’s Premier League game at St James’ Park, the 25-year-old brought Salomon Rondon down in the first half after fumbling a cross from Matt Ritchie and was arguably lucky not to have been sent off.
Although he kept out Matt Ritchie’s penalty, later on he spilled Miguel Almiron’s shot into the path of Ayoze Perez, who equalised and paved the way for an eventual defeat, despite the Toffees having been two goals up at the break.
BBC Sport highlighted how that error was Pickford’s fourth leading to an opposition goal this season and seventh error leading to either a shot or a goal, both higher than any other player in the Premier League this term.
While the article notes how the stopper’s errors could put his England place in jeopardy, such an ominous statistic could also prove food for thought for Marco Silva, whose second-choice goalkeeper, Maarten Stekelenburg, is an experienced player with more than 400 professional club appearances and 58 Netherlands caps (Transfermarkt).
Meanwhile, in the Under-23s, Joao Virginia has also been impressive this season, having kept eight clean sheets in 10 Premier League two games this season (Transfermarkt), including in his latest outing against Arsenal’s U23s.
Given Pickford’s form having wobbled this season, it remains to be seen whether Silva – who, let’s not forget, is also under pressure – will stick with his first choice or twist by giving either experience or youth a chance in between the sticks for a team beginning to look over their shoulders.
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