Media ‘impressed’ by £125k-a-week Everton star after latest international effort

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Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has impressed on international duty.

Everton star Jordan Pickford produced an excellent display between the sticks for England against Italy on Tuesday evening.

The 29-year-old was excellent, making some vital saves and using the ball well to help the Three Lions to build up attacks from the back.

It is important for Pickford to shine when representing his country, as the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Nick Pope, and Sam Johnstone are all vying for his No. 1 berth.

Pickford will still be expecting, fitness permitting, to be Gareth Southgate’s first choice by the time EURO 2024 rolls around, though.

He certainly underlined his credentials for the role against Italy. In Sky Sports’ official player ratings, they said, he “made a crucial save just before half-time to keep it level at 1-1 as he got down low to smartly stop Destiny Udogie’s shot with a strong left hand. Impressed with his feet too as he played some nice long accurate passes to set up attacks.”

Pickford improving in key area

The fact that Pickford is a good shot-stopper isn’t news, but it will be a major boost for England and Everton if the £125,000-a-week ace is improving with the ball at his feet.

Distribution is a huge aspect of the modern game for goalkeepers. They are expected to be able to play accurate short and long passes, and cope when being pressurised and closed down by opponents.

This has not always been a standout aspect of Pickford’s game. He will never be one of the Premier League’s best ball-playing ‘keepers, either. However, there is no reason that he can’t improve.

Sean Dyche would certainly love to see Pickford’s long-ball distribution improve, especially. If the former Sunderland man could reliably pick out the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto then that would add a new dynamic to the Toffees’ attacking play.

The most important thing for the Merseyside outfit, though, is that Pickford stays fit and in-form throughout the campaign, as the club’s back up options, Joao Virginia and Andy Lonergan, inspire little confidence.