Wayne Rooney admits he has been surprised by impact made by one Everton star he ‘wasn’t sure of’

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Wayne Rooney has been surprised by the impact made by a player that he originally wasn’t convinced by for England.

England won their opening group game in the 2024 European Championships against Serbia thanks to a brilliant header from Jude Bellingham.

Despite the victory, the Three Lions did not look utterly convincing throughout the game and were thankful to England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford who pulled off a fine save to deny Dusan Vlahovic with a powerful effort.

Pickford has become a stalwart for England and one of the countries most consistent players and Wayne Rooney, who played with the goalkeeper at Everton, has given his verdict on the shot-stopper.

Rooney opens up on Pickford after initial doubts

Speaking on The Overlap, former Manchester United, Everton and England striker Rooney admits he was wrong about the goalkeeper.

“I played with Jordan at Everton,” Rooney began. “and my concern was, he gets a bit agitated. Joe Hart was the same.

“I went from playing with Edwin van der Sar, who was the calmest man ever, to Jordan Pickford, who was like a bit, so I was like, I weren’t really sure, but then obviously, the way his career’s gone, he’s been brilliant, especially for England.”

Gary Neville also gave his verdict on the goalkeeper, he said: “I was instinctively nervous about the fact that I saw him laughing on the pitch as a goalkeeper at times, which I thought, I don’t see a goalkeeper laughing.

“It just lacks seriousness, and I thought, actually, temperament, composure, and stature, probably, as well, physical stature, was his weaknesses. But for me, he’s turned it around for me from where I was in my mind.”

Pickford vital for England

Since his debut for the Three Lions, the former Sunderland goalkeeper has been one of the mainstays under Gareth Southgate.

Had it not been for the penalty misses during the 2021 final against Italy, Pickford would have been lauded as a hero with the Everton stopper keeping out two penalties.

This season for Everton, Pickford has been outstanding as the Toffees avoided relegation and the hope will be that he can have another brilliant international tournament for England.