Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is ‘striving to get better and better’ despite thinking he is playing his most consistent football yet. The England ace also has one regret this season.
That is missing the Goodison Park natives’ Premier League win over West Ham United and the Three Lions’ final UEFA Nations League camp through injury. Pickford sustained a thigh problem during the Toffee’s goalless Merseyside derby at home to Liverpool in September.
- WORLD CUP: WHEN IS THE OPENING GAME? ALL OF THE KEY DATES FOR QATAR 2022
- WORLD CUP: LUKA MODRIC AND LIONEL MESSI AMONG ALL 10 GOLDEN BALL WINNERS
Liverpool’s trip across Stanley Park marked Pickford’s sixth top-flight appearance this term and also returned his first clean sheet. He had additionally worn the captain’s armband in Everton’s early-season matches with regular skipper Seamus Coleman sitting on the bench.
Pickford is yet to record another clean sheet since shutting Liverpool out five appearances ago. He returned from injury to guard the net as Everton beat Southampton 2-1 away at St Mary’s. But the 28-year-old has since conceded five goals over three consecutive defeats.
Everton have allowed two goals during three games this season with Pickford featuring. He has also conceded once during a further six outings, while Asmir Begovic denied West Ham to win 1-0. The Toffees will bid for a third win this term against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Pickford is ‘striving to get better and better’ at Everton after his injury blow
Pickford’s injury also denied the Everton ace a chance to build on his 45 caps for England in September. Gareth Southgate instead started Nick Pope in the Three Lions’ 1-0 loss to Italy and 3-3 draw with Germany. Aaron Ramsdale and Dean Henderson also made their squad.
The quartet will now all be hoping to make Southgate’s team for the World Cup in Qatar in November and December. But Pickford has told talkSPORT how he believes he is playing at his best and most consistent levels at Everton and only regrets his injury so far this season.
“I feel my own form has been good,” he said. “I think I’ve carried it on and been consistent over the last couple of years now and just keep on striving to get better and better.
“I feel like I’ve started [the season] well. Unfortunately, I missed the England games and one game against West Ham through injury. But I worked hard to get back out on the pitch as quick as I can.
“My own form is good and I just keep on building and building and each game I’m ready for… [I have been playing the] most consistent over the last two or three years, yes.”
Pickford has delivered a number of crucial performances for Lampard this season
Pickford had delivered a number of crucial performances with Everton prior to his injury in the Merseyside derby. He has often stood up to the task of being Frank Lampard’s last line of defence at Goodison. While his displays have also earned some interest at other teams.
Manchester United are one Premier League rival which The Telegraph reports are tracking Pickford’s performances. The Red Devils are staying on top of the shot-stopper’s situation on Merseyside with his £100k-a-week contract set to end in 2024 to replace David de Gea.
Lampard will be desperate to keep hold of his side’s £30m arrival from Sunderland in 2017. Pickford will also be just as eager to avoid another injury at Everton to ensure he starts for England at the World Cup. He started each of their ties in 2018 on route to the semi-finals.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
