Jordan Pickford: Embracing the New Era Under Tuchel
Jordan Pickford, the stalwart goalkeeper for Everton, has expressed his excitement about the upcoming England camp under new manager Thomas Tuchel. With Tuchel set to name his first squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia on Friday, March 14, Pickford shared that he and his England teammates have already had a chance to connect with the new coach via FaceTime. "We’ve all spoken to him and to the ‘keeper coach Hilario," Pickford revealed, emphasizing the team’s anticipation. "We’re all excited, we’ve not been together since the manager took over, so our camp next week will be our first one, and it’s always exciting. It’s about taking on the challenge and looking forward to next year, but playing good football and being top of the qualifying group."
A Consistent Performer for Everton
Pickford’s enthusiasm is not just about meeting the new manager but also stems from his impressive form with Everton. Despite conceding an equalizer to Marshall Munetsi in the recent 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Pickford made several crucial saves to ensure his side left Molineux with a point. The draw extended Everton’s unbeaten run in the Premier League to eight games, a remarkable achievement that has seen them rise 16 points above the relegation zone. This consistent performance has bolstered Pickford’s confidence and, more importantly, his prospects of being Tuchel’s first-choice goalkeeper for England.
Expert Opinions on Pickford’s Future
The discussion after the Everton-Wolves draw saw pundits Joe Cole and Peter Crouch weigh in on Pickford’s England hopes. Crouch, known for his insightful commentary, was unequivocal in his support for Pickford. "You just want to impress," Crouch said. "He’s done enough over the years. The new manager will have seen enough of him as well. He hasn’t done much wrong. I don’t see why he won’t stake his claim and be England’s No. 1. He hasn’t let anyone down. The manager has spoken to them all and I’m sure he’ll be selected." Cole echoed this sentiment, even drawing a parallel between Pickford and Everton’s legendary goalkeeper, Neville Southall. "More than not let anyone down, he’s been absolutely brilliant every time he’s pulled on an England shirt," Cole said. "His record here, this club has had some great goalkeepers in the past—Neville Southall—and he stands shoulder to shoulder with them. He’s been brilliant. He still has his best years ahead of him."
Everton’s Resilience and Team Spirit
David Moyes, the Everton manager, was similarly pleased with the team’s performance, especially their resilience and togetherness. "A great point, because I think Wolves are playing really well in the Premier League at the moment," Moyes said. "I think they’ve probably not got the wins they’ve deserved recently. They’ve improved. They played well against us today. We did a really good job here. Getting a point was good." While Moyes acknowledged that the team’s performance had room for improvement, he praised their defense and spirit. "I didn’t like an awful lot, but I liked our resilience and togetherness, the team spirit they’ve got. We didn’t have an awful lot of the ball but we [stopped Wolves getting] too many clear-cut chances, and we made one or two ourselves. But overall, we’re probably a bit disappointed with how we played, but pleased with the result."
An Emotional Return to West Ham
Looking ahead, Moyes faces a challenging and emotionally charged return to West Ham next weekend. The Scotsman, who recently hoisted the UEFA Conference League trophy with West Ham, admitted the match will be tough both personally and professionally. "It’ll be really difficult, because my memories of West Ham are so strong, so good," Moyes said. "The people I worked with were brilliant. I had strong bonds with the players over the time I was there, so it will be really difficult. But at this business you have to go and work for whoever pays you, and at this moment it’s Everton." This statement underscores Moyes’s commitment to his current role, despite the sentimental ties he holds with West Ham.
Building the Future of Everton
The recent draw at Molineux and Moyes’s reflections on West Ham also highlight the ongoing transformation at Everton. The club, which has faced numerous challenges over the years, is now on the cusp of significant changes, including the construction of a new stadium. "This club is going through a rocky, rocky time over the years. New stadium has now been built. The light is finally at the end of the tunnel," Cole noted. "The one thing you want is a goalkeeper, when you’re [thinking] ‘what is the next version of Everton Football Club going to be?’ You want a goalkeeper who is reliable, and he is more than reliable. He’s been brilliant." Pickford’s consistent performances and leadership qualities make him an indispensable part of Everton’s future, a reliable foundation as the club moves forward.
