Jordan Pickford is the name on every England fan’s lips at the moment, and Neville Southall believes the Everton man can become the best in the world.
Southall has watched the 24-year-old emerge as one of England’s most important players at the World Cup, pulling off some incredible saves and displaying a general air of calm which has been so absent in recent years.
The former Sunderland man, who signed for Everton in the summer of 2017 for £30 million as reported by BBC Sport, was fighting it out with Jack Butland before jetting out to Russia for the tournament, and his performances so far have had people wondering why there was ever a debate.
Pickford has gained a lot of admirers, and former Toffees goalkeeper Southall has sung his praises ahead of the crucial semi-final against Croatia on Wednesday.
He told the Guardian: “Pickford has been crucial. He marshals his defence well, his kicking is better than it was last season for Everton and he has a good understanding with his defence. This World Cup has proved he can be a top-class keeper.
“Jordan has to ask himself only one question now. How good does he want to be? If he wants to be the best in the world, then he must go for it because he’s got the tools to do it.
“He just needs to keep working hard, have some luck, stay clear of injuries and have the mindset of a top‑drawer goalkeeper. If people leave him alone, he’ll be England’s number one for the next 10 years. Would anyone fancy penalties against England and Pickford now? Not really.”
Croatia won’t take too much notice of Southall’s final comments – they have two penalty shootout victories to their name after squeezing past Denmark and Russia, to England’s one against Colombia.
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