Writing may be on wall for Pickford

SO Jordan Pickford has been dropped by Carlo Ancelotti at Everton and nobody can say it hasn’t been coming, even after a very solid start to the season by the Blues.

Pickford’s situation reminds me in so many ways of what happened with Joe Hart and England. Hart, remember, showed the same confidence and exuberance that Pickford has so often displayed in an Everton shirt. It was a confidence that bordered on cockiness, and it needed to be checked.

I’m sure Gareth Southgate will still select Pickford (left) for England but I do wonder if the writing is starting to appear on the Goodison walls for the Everton star, in the same way it did for Hart at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola.

Ancelotti is clearly not entirely convinced by Pickford. And if the keeper loses his place long-term, he would have two options. One, to look to leave Merseyside in a bid to cement his place in the international set-up. Two, to rein in that cockiness, show a little humility, and get back to basics.

Wth a potential European charge for Everton and a Euros for England at the end of the season, we won’t have to wait too long to find out his choice.

I WAS very saddened to hear Sir Bobby Charlton has been diagnosed with dementia — it’s terrifying how many ex-players are getting it.

We must keep applying the pressure to the FA, Premier League, EFL and PFA so they acknowledge football’s responsibility and act now on the solid advice they are being given by scientists.

If the NFL can do it, so can we.