Everton had plenty of players go to Euro 2024, but naturally, as the competition has gone on, they have slowly become less and less prevalent.
Many fell in the group stages, whilst the rest have been slowly dumped out at various knockout stages too.
However, there is one particular man who remains, and he is actually becoming a true legend both on Merseyside and all around his country.
After all, having performed so consistently for his club, actively keeping them in the Premier League against all the odds, Evertonians are bound to love him.
But what he does for England too is swiftly becoming an even bigger part of Jordan Pickford’s legacy.
Jordan Pickford lauded by the national media
Yesterday has only solidified that standpoint, after once again making himself the hero with a save in a penalty shoot-out.
After England had clawed themselves back into the game against Switzerland, it only ever really felt like the match would end one way, thus setting up the chance for Pickford to shine.
Saving low to his left from the very first effort, denying Manuel Akanji proved to be more than enough with the quality his side then boasted from the spot.
Naturally, the national media have flocked to praise him, with The Guardian handing him an 8/10 rating and writing: ‘Stepped up for the crucial save from Akanji in the shootout.’
The Telegraph were far more effusive in their adulation, with another 8/10 rating: ‘England’s penalty shoot-out hero yet again. Saved Akanji’s first spot-kick for the Swiss and it proved to be vital.’
Meanwhile, The Daily Mail wrote: ‘Set England on their way to shootout victory with huge first save and that was decisive. Avoided embarrassment of conceding straight from corner late in extra-time, but that doesn’t matter now. Strong stop in 119th minute, too.’
The Standard also chimed in with yet another 8/10 rating of their own, also branding Pickford a ‘hero’.
Everton star remains an English hero
It’s so refreshing to see Pickford, a player who has saved Everton countless times, step up to consistently do the same for England now.
It allows the rest of the country to see what those at Goodison Park have done for nearly eight years now.
When Evertonians have backed the 30-year-old, through the good times and the bad, it was because they always knew he was special, different to other goalkeepers in great and unique ways.
He may be unorthodox, but he is mightily effective, and for Sean Dyche in particular he has been thriving.
However, it seems that penalties are where the £100k-a-week star truly thrives, revelling in the opportunity to be the hero after so often being forced into the shadows.
He relishes the chance, and often takes it. He will likely finish his career as a legend for both club and country if he keeps this up.
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