Micah Richards defends Everton’s Jordan Pickford but points out two areas of his game which could improve

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Everton fans will have enjoyed this edition of the European Champions, but not because of the football on display.

In fact, if anything, the bulk of the matches have been quite sluggish, with the best teams failing to turn up yet still trundling deep into the competition.

No, for the Toffees, there has been one constant which has kept fans coming back, to watch an awful England side too.

Jordan Pickford is Everton’s pride and joy, and has now garnered additional support from a high-profile pundit.

Micah Richards rushes to Jordan Pickford’s defence

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Micah Richards sought to offer his praise for Pickford in the midst of a sea of adulation earned in recent weeks.

Whenever he dons an England shirt, it might feel to many like he raises his game.

However, long-time viewers of the 30-year-old will know that he is simply just always this good, and has been now for so many years.

Everton are so lucky to have him, and yet, despite praising him, Richards also offered him a couple of pointers.

He claimed: ‘Let’s give him some credit. He gets a lot of stick, Pickford, doesn’t he? For him being very animated on the side. He has never let England down, not even once. In big moments, he is always there.

‘Yeah, distribution could be a little bit better, he kicks a little bit too often high up the pitch, but in terms of his reactions and what you want from your goalkeeper, the first thing is save the ball, and he does it all the time.’

Everton’s Jordan Pickford has transcended criticism

Whether it be for club or for country, it’s fair to say that Pickford has been pretty faultless for as long as most can remember.

And, when he finishes his career, he will likely be remembered as one of the greatest goalkeepers to pull on both the royal blue of Everton and a Three Lions shirt.

He is toppling down records for fun, and has stuck with the Toffees through the darkest of times.

Many wouldn’t have begrudged him for leaving and furthering his career, but without him, they would almost certainly be relegated by now.

Their Premier League status rests on his quality, and were it not for a few poor penalties in 2021, so too would England’s European Championships title.

So, whether it be a poor spell of form or just one bad game, Pickford has more than earned a few let-offs, given how laser-focused he has been for half a decade now.