England’s number one to hail from Finch Farm

One of the few bright spots from this godforsaken Everton season, Jordan Pickford deserves all the praise he receives and then some.

Recognition for his good play seems to have come to a head, as England manager Gareth Southgate has reportedly chosen Pickford as the Three Lions’ no. 1 goalkeeper for the upcoming World Cup in Russia.

Jordan Pickford will be England’s World Cup No1.

Gareth Southgate has admitted he has decided who will be his first choice keeper and, while he will not confirm it publicly, Pickford has won the race.

England boss Southgate prefers Pickford because of his distribution and, unless the Everton keeper has a spectacular loss of form, then he will start in Russia.

Mirror

Pickford’s distribution is indeed far better than Joe Hart or Jack Butland’s, and provides an added value to England’s ability to play out of the back.

With Gylfi Sigurdsson’s injury status up in the air, it’s likely that Pickford will be Everton’s leading man at the summer tournament. Of course, being the man between the sticks for England isn’t always a good thing for your reputation, as Robert Green has taught us.

Let’s hope Jordan acquits himself slightly better than this...