Everton have certainly endured somewhat of a rollercoaster season so far with a recent resurgence.
David Moyes’ return to Goodison Park has helped take the Toffees pull away from the relegation zone with a nine-point cushion.
But Everton have experienced their issues with injuries and trouble finding the back of the net causing some major problems.
With the the struggles experienced earlier in the season, Moyes has refused to rule out relegation despite the recent up turn in form.
One area which has not caused Everton many issues is in defence.
The Toffees have conceded the joint fourth-fewest goals in the Premier League this season with only 28 goals allowed in their 23 games.
And there is one member of that Everton defence who has really impressed Alan Shearer.
Alan Shearer has been wowed by Everton’s Jordan Pickford
Michael Owen has praised Jordan Pickford already this season with the England number one shining in goal for the Toffees.
The Sunderland-born goalkeeper has been able to keep the second-most clean sheets in the Premier League this season; only beaten by Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer selected Pickford in his ‘Premier League draft’ with Micah Richards and Gary Lineker.
“I’m going for Jordan Pickford. He’s one clean sheet behind Sels, but I just think the way Everton play, they’ve got more chance of getting clean sheets than anyone else,” he said.
However, selecting an XI of players from numerous Premier League sides, Lineker replied: “Yeah, but it’s not Everton he’s playing for in your team, is it?”
It did not take long for Richards to chime in as he simply said: “Idiot!”
Shearer and Lineker have both been impressed by Pickford this season, despite his previous run-ins with the Newcastle United fanbase.
In what has been a shaky season, Pickford has remained a constant rock between the sticks for the Toffees.
Pickford has really changed Shearer’s opinion
Shay Given slammed Pickford as ‘erratic’ just a matter of weeks ago following Everton’s draw against Chelsea in December.
Having previously criticised Pickford, it shows just how much Shearer’s opinion has changed on the England number one over recent years.
The Everton goalkeeper has nailed down the role in the Three Lions side which is something which Shearer previously shared his concerns about.
“I’m worried for him England wise now. He was outstanding at the World Cup in Russia and should be making the shirt his,” Shearer said in 2019.
“But even basic saves he tries to make look spectacular. Everything seems to be an issue. He is not a kid any more. There comes a time when you’ve got to do the simple things right.”
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox
