Speaking on the Joe YouTube channel, Micah Richards has been discussing England’s goalkeeping choices at the World Cup.
The pundit was tasked with creating a combined XI from the 2006 and 2022 World Cup squads, and when it came to picking his goalkeeper he had a tough choice.
Indeed, Richards says that if he had the choice, he would have Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks, but he conceded that in all likelihood the Arsenal goalkeeper will be sat on the bench behind Jordan Pickford for the majority of the tournament.
In the end, Pickford earned the spot in this combined team ahead of both Ramsdale and Paul Robinson.
Ramsdale won’t play
Richards conceded that Ramsdale isn’t likely to play in Qatar.
“I like Ramsdale, if it was up to me I would have Ramsdale but let’s do this seriously. Pickford is England’s number one right now and Robinson was England’s number one back then, so we will go with Pickford,” Richards said.
Only takes one mistake
Of course, nobody wants Jordan Pickford to make a mistake at this World Cup, but it only takes one error for Ramsdale to get his chance.
Just look at the 2010 World Cup as an example. Rob Green headed to South Africa as England’s bona fide number one, but after throwing the ball into his own net against the USA, David James got a chance he was never expecting.
Yes, Ramsdale isn’t likely to play much football this winter, but if Pickford makes a high-profile error against Iran, USA or Wales, then the Arsenal man could be in line for an unexpected opportunity.
Ramsdale’s hopes of playing at the World Cup seem slim, but it’s not impossible to imagine a chance coming his way.
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