Why this season is pivotal for Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s career

The goalkeeper was a key part of the England team that reached the final of Euro 2020 this summer and he will be aiming to bring that form back to the Toffees.

Jordan Pickford. Everton No.1. England No.1. But for the majority of his time at Goodison Park, a player who’s been under severe scrutiny.

Doubts about his ability and mentality have often been voiced - both by his own fans and those outside Merseyside.

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But against the backdrop of Euro 2020 and heading into the 2021-22 season, there seems to be a changing perception of Pickford.

When the Toffees kick off against Southampton on Saturday, August 14, it marks the start of a campaign in which the goalkeeper must finally silence the remaining boo boys.

At a glance: 5 key points

- Pickford was one of several big money purchases by former Everton boss Ronald Koeman in the summer of 2017.

- He made a £25m move from boyhood club Sunderland, where he came through the ranks to make 35 appearances .

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- In five seasons at Everton Pickford has had five managers and been first choice under them all.

- In total, he has played 176 times and recorded 47 clean sheets for Everton.

- England’s No.1 made his international debut in 2017 and has been capped 38 times.

Why does Pickford have his critics?

Jordan Pickford narrowly avoids being sent off against Newcastle (Getty Images)Jordan Pickford narrowly avoids being sent off against Newcastle (Getty Images)
Jordan Pickford narrowly avoids being sent off against Newcastle (Getty Images)

One of the main issues has been Pickford’s temperament during matches.

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In the past, he has got too worked up and overly animated. Keeping a level head - a fundamental attribute for any goalkeeper.

The prime example of this was in the 3-2 defeat to Newcastle United in March 2019.

Having grown up a Sunderland fan, Pickford let himself get far too involved with supporters of their arch rivals in the stands.

He’d already been lucky to escape a sending off for hacking down Salomon Rondon in the first half and spared his own blushes by saving Matt Ritchie’s penalty.

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But with the Blues leading 2-0 at the break, they suffered a second-half capitulation and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

Everton lost 3-2, with Pickford spilling a long-range effort that gifted Ayoze Perez an equaliser.

What’s more, the 27-year-old has been prone to making crucial errors that have led to goals.

Particularly in the first half of last season, Pickford came in for plenty of flak.

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Two blunders against Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup, one gaffe against Brighton and that  tackle on Virgil van Dijk in the Merseyside derby - which sidelined the Liverpool defender for the rest of the season - put him under the microscope.

Let’s not forget his bizarre flap at Van Dijk’s speculative effort that gifted Divock Origi a stoppage-time winner for Liverpool at Anfield the previous season, either.

Turning things around

Jordan Pickford saves a penalty from Italy’s Andrea Belotti in the  EURO 2020 final.Jordan Pickford saves a penalty from Italy’s Andrea Belotti in the  EURO 2020 final.
Jordan Pickford saves a penalty from Italy’s Andrea Belotti in the EURO 2020 final.

Pickford would, however, make a remarkable recovery during the 2020-21 campaign.

With mistakes and scrutiny plummeting the keeper to a career nadir, the 27-year-old began the process of rebuilding his form and confidence.

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Pickford sought the help of a sports psychologist to help bring a calm demeanour to his game. This, coupled with the birth of his first son, proved to be the perfect tonic.

In Everton’s final 13 matches, Pickford recorded seven clean sheets. In his previous 18 games, he only collected three shutouts.

His impressive displays were enough to ensure he went into Euro 2020 as England’s first-choice keeper.

And although he again had his critics going into the tournament, with many Three Lions followers wanting Burnley’s Nick Pope to start, he delivered an emphatic answer.

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Pickford helped England reach their first major final since 1966, registering five clean sheets along the way.

He was agonisingly close to becoming a national hero too. In the penalty shootout against Italy, Pickford kept out two spot-kicks - including a brilliant stop to thwart Jorginho’s effort - but England missed three.

The 2021-22 season

Rafa Benitez: Pickford’s fifth manager at Everton (Getty Images)Rafa Benitez: Pickford’s fifth manager at Everton (Getty Images)
Rafa Benitez: Pickford’s fifth manager at Everton (Getty Images)

Pickford now prepares for his fifth season at Everton and will have a fifth manager in charge of him.

Rafa Benitez took the reins at Goodison in the summer following Carlo Ancelotti’s shock return to Real Madrid.

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Benitez was in touch with Pickford shortly after being appointed boss, sharing a phone call while the Euros were ongoing.

The Toffees have brought in experienced keeper Asmir Begovic from AFC Bournemouth to provide competition in goal this season.

However, Pickford will start the season opener against Southampton as No.1 as he bids for the consistency to finally silence his doubters.

The stopper didn’t cover himself in glory in the 4-0 pre-season drubbing at Manchester United last weekend, spilling Lucas Digne’s backpass to allow Mason Greenwood an easy finish.

It’s fair to say that he has plenty of Evertonians he still needs to convince.