Jordan still No.1 for me, says Gareth
GARETH SOUTHGATE has insisted Jordan Pickford remains his No.1, despite the Everton goalkeeper being dropped by his club.
Pickford was left out of the Toffees’ 2-1 defeat at Newcastle by manager Carlo Ancelotti last Sunday. He also suffered abuse online after the challenge in the Merseyside derby which saw Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk suffer a nasty injury.
However, Ancelotti said Pickford would return tomorrow against Manchester United and England boss Southgate has remained loyal, claiming he has no real rival for his place at international level.
‘He’s deserved that [loyalty], his performances have been excellent for us so that’s not been a difficult decision for me,’ he said.
‘We do have some competition for places but I have to say there is nobody seriously challenging him.
‘This has been a difficult period for him with the spotlight on that particular challenge but we all know as a player injury can happen. Jordan has to just get on with playing.’
Southgate recalled Manchester City’s Phil Foden to his 29-man squad to face Ireland, Belgium and Iceland this month but omitted Mason Greenwood after their breach of coronavirus rules in September. Both were left out last month as punishment and, although Manchester United forward Greenwood misses out, Southgate said the incident was ‘water under the bridge’.
Southgate added: ‘They don’t come as a pair. Phil has had quite a lot of football and Mason has had less game time at United. I’ve had a chat with (United manager) Ole (Gunnar Solskjaer) and feel it is better for him to stay with his club.’
And Southgate defended captain Harry Kane, accused of simulation in winning the penalty that saw Tottenham beat Brighton last Sunday.
‘All I’ve seen in our games is Harry gets kicked from pillar to post and isn’t protected. Every time we play he seems to be a target, so I would welcome a bit more protection for Harry,’ said Southgate.