Paul Merson told Sky Sports he ‘doesn’t know’ a goalkeeper in the world that wouldn’t have saved France’s opening goal against England at the World Cup, as he was critical of Tottenham transfer target and Everton number one, Jordan Pickford.
England bowed out of the quarter-final stages of the Qatar World Cup, with Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouamén opening the scoring in the first half.
After picking up the ball on the edge of the area, Tchouamén guided the ball into the bottom corner of Pickford’s net, with the ball going through Jude Bellingham’s legs, as it was pulling away from the man in between the sticks.
It wasn’t a shot hit with any venom or speed, but it could be argued that Pickford was unsighted or saw the ball late given the bodies in front of him.
But that wasn’t the criticism which Merson aimed at the £30 million keeper (Sky Sports), instead, he felt that the Everton number one should have been further forward from his goal line.
“I don’t know a goalkeeper who doesn’t save France’s first goal,” said Merson. “Why Jordan Pickford was on his goal line when the ball was 25, 30 yards out I do not know.
“If Pickford was on the edge of his six-yard box, he probably catches Aurelien Tchouameni’s shot.”
TOTTENHAM’S INTEREST IN PICKFORD
The man on the other side of Pickford was a certain Hugo Lloris, who was perhaps France’s best player on the night.
Whilst he didn’t save Harry Kane’s second penalty, he certainly played his part in his club teammate booting it over the net.
But whilst Lloris is enjoying himself at the World Cup, on the domestic scene, Spurs are looking to replace their captain, with Pickford’s name popping up as a possible replacement, as reported by 90Min.
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