Is Jordan Pickford's England Number One Spot Truly Secure?

Jordan Pickford's position as England's first-choice goalkeeper appears unassailable, despite persistent debates surrounding the nation's options between the posts. While the Everton shot-stopper edges closer to breaking records, the question remains: is his place truly under threat, and how good is he?

Pickford on the Verge of History

The 31-year-old is on the cusp of surpassing the legendary Gordon Banks' record of seven consecutive clean sheets for the Three Lions. He will break his own Three Lions record, currently jointly shared with the legendary Gordon Banks, of seven consecutive clean sheets if he wins his 79th cap against Wales and does not concede in Thursday's friendly. While many of those recent shut-outs have come in one-sided qualifiers, Pickford's value in high-pressure situations, particularly penalty shootouts, is undeniable.

Expert Analysis: Strengths and Weaknesses

Former England goalkeepers offer contrasting perspectives on Pickford's technical abilities. While his shot-stopping reflexes are widely praised, some argue his overall technique isn't flawless. Rob Green, speaking to BBC Sport, suggests Pickford possesses "flaws and idiosyncrasies," highlighting an unconventional set position. "When he is facing a shot, he drops his hands wide and low behind himself, and puts one hand up slightly before the other. There are oddities in his set position, in that he is slightly out of sync, but you can unpick his style all you like because what matters is that he makes the save." Green emphasizes that Pickford's effectiveness outweighs any technical imperfections.

Paul Robinson, another former England international, praises Pickford's improvement with his feet. "He has definitely improved his all-round play with his feet," Robinson explained. "Where Jordan has always been strong is with his long distribution and his ability to start a counter-attack - there are not many better than him at that in the Premier League." He acknowledges the evolution of the goalkeeping role, where distribution is increasingly important, and credits Pickford for adapting effectively.

Temperament and Maturity

Pickford's on-field demeanor has often been a subject of scrutiny. Early in his career, he was sometimes perceived as "too agitated," according to former teammate Wayne Rooney. However, Theo Walcott believes Pickford has matured significantly. "Jordan has calmed down a lot - I just think he has got a bit more mature," Walcott told BBC Sport. "Earlier in his career there were times I played with him where it felt like if he was bored in the game he thought he had to do something, just to feel like he was involved." This increased composure is seen as a positive influence on the team's overall stability.

Consistency and Performance

Concerns about Pickford's consistency at club level have diminished in recent seasons. Fewer errors leading to goals have been observed, mirroring his consistently strong performances for England. Since his international debut in 2017, he has only made one error leading to a goal, showcasing a remarkable level of reliability. Peter Shilton, with a record 125 caps, is the only man to have played more times in goal for England than Pickford, but he has still kept clean sheets in exactly 50% of his appearances so far and has made only one error leading to a goal since his international debut in 2017 - a poor clearance against Belgium in March 2024. The game ended 2-2

The View from the Dugout

Despite Thomas Tuchel's statement that "the race is on" for every position, including goalkeeper, Pickford's rivals face an uphill battle. Dean Henderson and James Trafford, while talented, lack Pickford's experience and track record at the highest level. Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale are also in the frame, but Pope has not been selected into any of Tuchel's four squads so far. Ramsdale made it into one but, like Trafford at Manchester City, he is not currently first-choice at his club.

Pickford's Enduring Importance

Pickford's penalty-saving record for England is exceptional. He has saved four out of 14 penalties he has faced in shootouts at major finals for England, and 5/20 if you include the 2019 Nations League third-place play-off. David Seaman, with 2/15, is the only other England keeper to make any saves in a shootout - the combined record for all goalkeepers bar Pickford is 2/36 This success in crucial moments has solidified his status as a key player for the national team. His leadership qualities and ability to control the defense are also highly valued, particularly at Everton, where he has been voted player of the season four times.

The Verdict

While competition for places is a constant in football, Jordan Pickford's experience, consistency, and proven ability in major tournaments make him the clear frontrunner for the England number one jersey. As Rob Green concludes, "It is Pickford, and then the others." His position appears secure, and rightly so.