Ex-Everton goalkeeper backs Pickford
Former Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall has given his backing to current incumbent Jordan Pickford after the England number one’s latest error.
The 26-year-old was at fault for Brighton’s first goal in the Toffees’ 4-2 win on Saturday which took them top of the Premier League, coming only days aftertwomistakesinaCarabao Cup win at Fleetwood.
Having insisted just over a week ago he was not planning on strengthening his goalkeeping options, manager Carlo Ancelotti made a deadline-day loan move for Roma’s Sweden international Robin Olsen.
However, Southall, who averaged a clean sheet once every 2.8 matches across his 751 appearances, believes former Sunderland goalkeeper Pickford (averaging a clean sheet every 3.6 matches) remains a valuable asset to Everton.
“I th ink he’s had probably three bad minutes in six months – if (that),” he told Sky Sports.
“His mistakes aren’t killing us – I think that’s a good thing – and I think once he finds his form, we’ll be flying.
“There’ll be a time when we have that little bump in the roadandmaybewe’llhavetorely on him. But I do think, if Mr Ancelottiwantstoplayyou,you must be half-decent.”
Fellow former Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard believes Pickord, in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the friendly against Wales and Nations League matches against Belgium and Denmark, may benefit from Olsen’s arrival.
“Every good goalkeeper needs competition,” he said.
“Jordan is a top goalkeeper. There have been a few wobbles recently but bringing in another goalkeeper always helps to create competition and urgency.”