Peter Schmeichel was left unimpressed by Everton’s Jordan Pickford and his attempts to save Aurélien Tchouaméni’s long-range goal during England’s 2-1 defeat to France at the Qatar World Cup.
The legendary Premier League keeper stated that Everton’s number one should have been ‘further up’ when the Real Madrid man unleashed his shot from long range.
England’s midfield were deep inside their own penalty box when Tchouaméni made his first touch and they tried to get out to block the shot as he was about to pull the trigger.
But they simply weren’t quick enough, and whilst Tchouaméni’s pin-point effort went through the legs of Jude Bellingham, which probably left Pickford unsighted.
Schmeichel doesn’t think that was the case, nor a good enough excuse, because he explained what the Everton man needed to do, as he told beIN SPORTS (10/12/22 at 9:20 pm).
“I really do think that Pickford should be a little bit further out,” said Schmeichel. “This is a long, long way out. I mean you shouldn’t be beaten.
“Even though it goes through the legs of Bellingham. He’s not unsighted. He should be further up.”
PICKFORD’S STILL ENGLAND’S BEST
That Tchouaméni goal wasn’t an error from Pickford, yes, he will probably be kicking himself that he didn’t get across to keep it out, especially given the speed in which it came to him.
But against France, he was very good and there were occasions when the game could have gone out of sight had it not been for the Everton man.
Time and time again, he proves to be a high-class keeper on the international stage, from his performances at the 2018 World Cup to his strong showing in Qatar.
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