Football News: Pickford Shines for England, Eyeing Euro 2024 Success
David James, the former England goalkeeper, believes Jordan Pickford is one of the best shot-stoppers in Europe and has questioned why the Everton goalkeeper is not playing for a club higher up the Premier League table.
Pickford, who is set to represent England at his fourth major tournament this summer, is poised to equal the tally of Three Lions great David Seaman. Peter Shilton remains the only England goalkeeper to have played at five tournaments, thanks to a solitary appearance at Euro 80.
As Pickford approaches the age of 30 ahead of Euro 2024, the former Liverpool keeper believes the Everton goalkeeper could well reach that milestone in the years to come. James also thinks Pickford deserves to be recognized as one of the best in Europe, even ahead of Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was named the player of the tournament at the last Euros.
“I like Jordan playing for England,” James said. “What’s interesting is the relative success he’s had, getting to finals and semi-finals, and being able to hold down that position for so long.”
The former England keeper believes Pickford’s consistency in the national team has been partly due to injuries to other goalkeepers in the squad, such as Aaron Ramsdale, Dean Henderson, and Sam Johnstone.
Despite Pickford’s strong performances for the national team, James is surprised the 30-year-old is not playing for a club higher up the Premier League table. “When you look at him playing for England, he looks different to when he plays for Everton in so many ways,” James said. “With respect to Everton, England’s team is better than theirs.”
As England prepare for their Euro 2024 campaign, Pickford will be crucial to their hopes of lifting the trophy in Germany. With the tournament just around the corner, fans will be eager to see if the Everton goalkeeper can cement his place as one of the best in Europe and guide the Three Lions to glory.
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