England’s 2-1 defeat to Greece in the UEFA Nations League has raised questions as to whether Jordan Pickford should still be England’s number one goalkeeper.

Despite his contributions to the Three Lions’ relative successes in recent years including reaching the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and two runner-up finishes at the Euro’s, Pickford has found himself under increasing criticism.

The Everton goalkeeper made several mistakes in the Wembley loss to Greece, including almost handing them the opener when he lost control of the ball after venturing outside the box and gifting Anastasios Bakasetas a shot into a open goal. A remarkable goal line clearance from Levi Colwill saved Pickford’s blushes.

 

Minutes later, the away side had the ball in back of the net, following a corner that wasn’t claimed by Pickford. Again he was spared his embarrassment when West Ham man Konstantinos Mavropanos was offside.

 

ITV Sport pundit and former Manchester United captain Roy Keane took aim at half time saying: “That will always be there with Pickford. He’s not going to change now.”

Greece had the ball in the back of the net four times in the second half, with only two of them counting. When the final whistle sounded, Pickford hadn’t made one save.

After the game, the Everton stopper said: “We weren’t at the races tonight, we weren’t at our best at all and you could tell. We were way off our levels as a nation.”

Pickford who is now 30, made his debut for England back in 2017 against Germany and has made 71 appearances for his country.

 

Is it time for Lee Carsley to start picking a new number one between the sticks?

Nick Pope has only picked up 10 appearances for England with the younger Dean Henderson only making one cap.

With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, will Pickford still be between the sticks for England?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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