Moyes reveals pride in rising star Pickford
KEEPER’S ‘NEAR IMMACULATE’ SEASON
JORDAN Pickford’s blossoming career has been a ray of sunshine in an otherwise miserable season for Sunderland, says David Moyes.
The Academy graduate has produced a string of fine performances, established himself as the Black Cats’ first-choice goalkeeper, been elevated to the senior England squad and has been nominated by his fellow professionals as one of six contenders for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
In a season where Sunderland have again found themselves fighting relegation – and this time look highly unlikely to stage a Great Escape – only Jermain Defoe’s goals and the emergence of Pickford have given the fans something to smile about.
Moyes feels Pickford’s achievements have been the highlight.
He said: “I have seen him as probably the biggest positive at the club this year.
“For a 23-year-old to do so well, to not make mistakes, it is really, really big.
“He has been through the season nearly immaculate, I touch wood when I say that, but you would have to say he has just been so good.”
Pickford’s only real error came on his first start of the season at Southampton in August when he allowed a tame shot from Jay Rodriguez to find the net - but no goalkeeper is perfect.
Moyes added: “The scrutiny will come and goalkeepers will have ups and downs.
“I use Manchester United’s David de Gea as an example.
“Sir Alex Ferguson played him when he was not-playing so well, took him out the odd time, put him back in, showed great faith in him and all of the Man United managers since have had a really great goalkeeper in him.
“Jordan has come in, hardly made a mistake and gone through a season nearly as well as anybody.
“It has been a remarkable first season for him in the Premier League.”
One of Pickford’s strengths is his distribution and use of the ball, Moyes likening his passing at times to that of a top midfield player.
He said: “He is a very big kicker,. Some of his passes against Watford – it was like watching a top midfield player.
“He just has to be careful it is not something he does to get noticed because then it would add risks to his game.
“At the moment he is not doing that (taking risks), he is limiting it and that is exactly the right thing to do.
“He is a very good passer – he can go short, he can play long. It is such a big part of goalkeeping these days.
“Against Leicester he had something like 70% pass accuracy, against Manchester United I think it was down to about 40% but there were other factors involved – (Man United defender Matteo) Darmian outjumped Victor Anichebe quite a lot so you cannot read too much into it.
“We are always on to make sure his distribution is good.
“As a team we need it, it is a big weapon for us.”
Pickford’s form has not gone unnoticed and a number of top clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester City, and Everton, are monitoring him and could make a move this summer.
Yet the Washington-born youngster last week insisted a move is not on his agenda.