Gary Lineker left shocked after what Alan Shearer has said about Everton’s Jordan Pickford

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Everton’s season ended in comfort, for a pleasant change.

They were officially safe by late April, but inexplicably the 26 points that Luton Town amassed in 18th spot was a figure that the Toffees reached back at the start of that month. This campaign, despite two points deductions, never really put them in any danger of going down.

That is owed to the manager, but also the players who have stepped up of late.

However, for Jordan Pickford, his excellent showings have become frighteningly commonplace.

Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer agree on outstanding Everton player

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, which was missing Micah Richards due to his exploits abroad for A League of Their Own, Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker were forced to fill the time by naming their Premier League Team of the Seasons.

And whilst it was an episode rife with debate, they shockingly agreed on the very first pick.

‘For this one, I’m going to go for Pickford,’ the former Newcastle United striker claimed. Lineker would reply: ‘I’m going for Pickford! I’m really surprised we agreed on that because I thought you weren’t going for that. For a variety of reasons.

‘I think he’s been unbelievable. He’s a lot busier than someone like Raya. I think Ederson and Alisson are great goalkeepers, but they’ve both made one or two mistakes. David Raya I think made one or two mistakes early on but he bounced back well.

‘Whereas Pickford, obviously a lot busier, he’s made 121 saves compared with Raya’s 46, Ederson’s 57 and Alisson’s 83, which is quite a lot. And he has conceded more goals than the others, but I think he’s been brilliant this season. One of the reasons that Everton have managed to stay up despite getting their points deductions.

‘It’s hard to think of one or two mistakes, not many. He’s calmed himself down a fraction. Still gets a little bit overexcited at times, a bit exuberant, but I agree with you on that.’

Shearer would then cite his reasons: ‘I think he’s [Pickford] been excellent, more than played his part in doing what Everton have done. He’s pulled off some really vital saves in important moments, which you have to do, and I agree with you. He has calmed down a little bit.

‘There are times when he gets stupidly excited doesn’t he? When he rants and raves for whatever reason. But we haven’t seen as much of that this season and I think that’s helped him in his performances.’

Jordan Pickford is finally getting his flowers

It is so refreshing to see the media finally giving Everton’s 30-year-old shot-stopper the praise he has deserved for years now, with Garth Crooks another who recently named Pickford in his Team of the Season.

Behind all the gesticulations and screaming is a truly elite-level goalkeeper, and that has been the case for much longer than just this sole season.

Without him, the Toffees would almost certainly be a Championship club at this moment, with his uncanny ability to perform in the biggest moments so uncharacteristic for a goalkeeper constantly embroiled in relegation fights.

Hopefully, should Kevin Thelwell and Sean Dyche work a few miracles in the transfer market, the team can progress and start building towards a side worthy of matching Pickford’s brilliance.