Pickford has been thrust into the action this season following an elbow injury to Vito Mannone.
Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford celebrates after Patrick van Aanholt scores their first goal
Sunderland defender John O’Shea believes the club have a potential top class goalkeeper on their hands in Jordan Pickford, the Chronicle reports, but has highlighted an area for him to improve.
Pickford has featured in all but two of Sunderland’s games so far this season as he has taken the place of Vito Mannone in the starting XI – with the Italian currently recovering from an elbow injury.
Sunderland’s John O’Shea in action with West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon
The 22-year-old seems to be very highly rated, with O’Shea describing his kicking ability as ‘impressive’, but feels a little bit of control can help him improve his game.
The Republic of Ireland international is quoted in the Chronicle saying: “Pickers has been impressive, his kicking is quality at times but sometimes he has to calm himself down because the game is going so fast.
“It’s end to end and we just need to try and keep control of it because that kind of adds to the tension.
Sunderland’s Paddy McNair and John O’Shea celebrate at the end of the match
“If he can control that a little bit then he is going to be a top-class keeper.”
O’Shea has played with and in front of many goalkeepers – sometimes in very successful sides so he’ll feel he knows a good goalkeeper when he comes across one.
It does seem like it’s a trait common in younger goalkeepers and it may be something he improves on the more games he plays. His shot stopping has so far impressed – and it has had to given that he has been left exposed by a defence that leaks opportunities on several occasions.
It will be interesting to see if Pickford takes it on board, as it seems the 22-year-old could be key to improving on the side’s disappointing two points from their opening seven games in the Premier League by helping to get some clean sheets on the board.
West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon in action with Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford
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