clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Pickford hints at possible Everton formation change?

Goalkeeper talks about his World Cup rival turned teammate Yerry Mina and Everton’s squad depth

AFC Bournemouth v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images

Jordan Pickford has become an essential part of the England national team set-up under Gareth Southgate and has already picked up eleven senior caps. When asked in a recent interview if Marco Silva could revert to the same three-man backline formation Southgate used with the Three Lions, Pickford concurred the Blues finally had the personnel for it.

“Yeah. I think we’ve got the ability in the squad to play various formations. It’s up to the gaffer, but last year at Watford he did play three at the back sometimes.

“We’ve got the quality and ability to pick people to fit into those roles straight away.

“We’ve got quality going forward and if we’ve got the stability at the back as well, it will be good as well. Sometimes, three at the back gives you the option to play out more easily as well.”

One of his new teammates was responsible for taking England to penalties at the global showcase, and Pickford hasn’t forgotten. Defender Yerry Mina climbed highest to head home late in the game to draw Colombia level from a corner forced by an incredible save from the goalie.

“Your job’s to help the team and I thought I’d done enough with the save in the 90minute from the volley. I thought that was a great save.

“But the game’s never over until the final whistle, and Mina, the bugger, pops up with a header.

“I’ll wait until his English is better before I have a conversation with him about that!

“But hopefully he’ll score some this season for Everton.”

While Mina has finally started training with the Blues, it remains to be seen if today’s game against Arsenal comes too soon for him, or if Silva will indeed roll with three centerhalves to bolster the backline.