Yesterday England and the Football Association revealed the shirt numbers for the Three Lions at this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
Whilst there are no grand surprises, or ridiculous numbers up in the 30+ mark as seems more commonplace amongst ‘stars’ these days, there was one selection that stood out in particular.
1 Jordan Pickford
2 Kyle Walker
3 Danny Rose
4 Eric Dier
5 John Stones
6 Harry Maguire
7 Jesse Lingard
8 Jordan Henderson
9 Harry Kane
10 Raheem Sterling
11 Jamie Vardy
12 Kieran Trippier
13 Jack Butland
14 Danny Welbeck
15 Gary Cahill
16 Phil Jones
17 Fabian Delph
18 Ashley Young
19 Marcus Rashford
20 Dele Alli
21 Ruben Loftus-Cheek
22 Trent Alexander-Arnold
23 Nick Pope
With Joe Hart missing out on selection despite being considered England’s No 1, the selection of Pickford for that shirt has surely got to have enhanced the Everton stoppers chance of lining up for the group games between the sticks.
It also makes all the sense in the world from Gareth Southgate, he naturally has the experience on Burnley’s Nick Pope and with Stoke City’s relegation this year, whether fair or not, that leaves a question mark over Jack Butland.
Whether Pickford gets the selection for the Costa Rica friendly or not, I don’t think much should be read into that, the shirt numbers are far more telling for me and naturally, fans are delighted with what it implies.
yerrrrssss
— Marco Silvas Snide Blues (@HazoJK43) June 4, 2018
Before Jordan Pickford, the last #EFC goalkeeper to play for England was Gordon West against Mexico in June 1969.
Pickford is the 4th #EFC goalkeeper to play for England – after Benjamin Howard Baker (1 cap while at Everton), Ted Sagar (4 caps) and West (3 caps).
— EFC Statto (@EFC_Statto) June 4, 2018
Good jordan????
— Mod (@modrtaa) June 4, 2018
This worries me that he will be gone as all will see his splendour #amazing
— Lynrobbo81 (@lynrobbo81) June 4, 2018
— Michael (@greenallefc) June 4, 2018
Helen, please get over it. You should be happy Jordan is going to the World Cup. Maybe a different number could be good for him.
— Freya (@freyasims1) June 4, 2018
ENGLAND’S NUMBER ONE @JPickford1 ????????????
— Jordan Wright (@Jordolenko) June 4, 2018