Everton suffered a damaging defeat at Newcastle United in the Premier League over the weekend.
Robbie Savage has claimed that Burnley’s Tom Heaton is now better than Jordan Pickford and would, therefore, pick the Premier League ace ahead of the Everton man for England.
During the World Cup last summer in Russia, Pickford was Gareth Southgate’s main man between the sticks as he and his teammates exited the competition at the semi-final stage with high praise.
But Pickford, who moved to Goodison Park for £30 million in 2017 [Sky Sports], has had an indifferent campaign despite the successes from the summer.
Speaking to BBC 606 on Radio 5 Live, Savage claimed that Heaton has now pushed ahead of Pickford in the pecking order for England’s number one jersey.
“I think Pickford should be in the England squad, but not number one,” Savage told BBC 606. “Current form, I am looking at Tom Heaton, who has been at the catalyst of Burnley’s resurgence and Angus Gunn in the last few weeks has been sensational.
“I would say when Southgate picks his squad, I would have Heaton number one, Gunn and Pickford.”
Pickford’s performance away at Newcastle over the weekend isn’t one he will remember because he conceded a penalty and parried Miguel Almiron’s shot straight to goalscorer Ayoze Perez as his team lost the encounter 3-2.
The international break will kick in once again towards the end of this month and Pickford will be hoping to keep his place between the sticks for the high-flying Three Lions.
If history is anything to go by then Gareth Southgate will stick with Pickford in goal because he has done more good for his national side than bad.
Added with that, when former England number one, Joe Hart was going through his troubles he continued to stick with him before he eventually had to drop him because he was struggling to earn regular game time.
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