Paul Merson fears Jordan Pickford faces a ‘hard’ challenge to stay England’s number one if Everton suffer relegation from the Premier League this season, via his Sky Sports column.
The Toffees are in the fight to remain in the top-flight this term amid their underwhelming campaign under Rafa Benitez and now Frank Lampard. They sit just three points from the drop zone after 27 games. But Everton do hold matches in hand on the sides around them.
Watford in 18th have played twice more than Everton, while 16th-place Leeds have played three more than the Blues. No side has played fewer fixtures than the Goodison Park outfit (27), along with Leicester City and Burnley. Which could give Lampard a crucial advantage.
The term started much more promisingly for Everton as Benitez saw in his tenure with four wins in seven games. Two draws in that run also placed the Blues fifth in the table with just goal difference placing the Toffees behind Chelsea (16) and Liverpool (15) with 14 points.
But no side has taken fewer points than Everton (11) since October 4, with three wins and two draws to 15 defeats. Five of those defeats have come since the Blues hired Lampard on January 31, plus two wins from seven games. They also have kept just two clean sheets.
Merson fears ‘hard’ Pickford task to remain England #1 if Everton are relegated
Merson fears Pickford faces the costly consequence of losing his status as England’s No.1 if Everton are relegated from the Premier League this season. The 42-cap star has been the Three Lions’ first-choice between the sticks since ousting Joe Hart for the position in 2017.
But Pickford now faces a strong battle from Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale, Burnley’s Nick Pope and West Brom’s Sam Johnstone. Each of them could move ahead of the Blues star if he is not in the top-flight. Johnstone had initially stayed in the England side after his relegation.
“In terms of England’s goalkeeper for the World Cup, a lot depends on what happens between now and the end of the season,” Merson said.
“If Everton go and get relegation, it’s going to be hard for Jordan Pickford to retain his position as England’s No.1. How many Championship players have played at a World Cup for England?
“You’ve only got to look at Kalvin Phillips, who went straight into the England squad once Leeds got promoted, to see how difficult it is for Championship players to get into the England squad.”
Pickford would likely be one of several Everton stars to angle for a move away if Lampard cannot avoid their shock Premier League relegation. He left Sunderland for Goodison Park in 2017 for £30m following their drop, before making his England debut that November.
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