Two Everton youngsters featured for the England Under-21’s on Monday.
Pundit Alan Smith
Pundit Alan Smith has told Sky Sports that he felt Jordan Pickford impressed for England Under-21’s against Slovakia on Monday – but wasn’t too enamoured with Mason Holgate’s display.
Having drawn 0-0 with Sweden in their opening group stage of the Under-21 European Championships, England knew that they needed to beat Slovakia in Kielce to keep their hopes alive.
England’s Jordan Pickford during training
When Martin Chrien but Slovakia in front, it looked like England would be crashing out of the competition – but second half goals from Swansea’s Alfie Mawson and Southampton’s Nathan Redmond handed England a come-from-behind win.
After a flat first half display, manager Aidy Boothroyd decided to bring on winger Jacob Murphy at half time in place of defender Mason Holgate, and that swung the game in England’s favour.
Everton talent Holgate had struggled in the first half, having been arguably culpable for Slovakia’s opening goal before being replaced at half time.
Stoke City’s Marko Arnautovic in action with Everton’s Mason Holgate
Holgate’s new Everton team-mate Jordan Pickford – signed from Sunderland last week – also started for England, and his performance was praised by pundit Alan Smith after the final whistle.
Smith told Sky Sports that he felt Pickford was ‘very decisive’ off his line and, whilst he may have done better with Slovakia’s goal, he commanded his area well – but he was disappointed with Holgate’s 45-minute display, suspecting an injury.
General view inside Goodison Park
“He had a lot more to do than in the first game against Sweden,” said Smith. “I think he might be disappointed with the goal but he was very decisive coming for crosses and took the pressure off his defence well.”
“He didn’t follow his man for the goal and I think he might have been injured when he was subbed at half-time. It wasn’t his best half,” he added on Holgate.
Both players will hope to start for Everton on the opening day of the Premier League season, with Pickford arguably already ahead of Maarten Stekelenburg and Joel Robles in the pecking order, whilst Seamus Coleman’s injury means Holgate could start at right back, though he’ll be hoping for better fortunes than he endured in Poland on Monday.
Do you think Pickford and Holgate should start for Everton on the opening day of the season?
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