Jason Murphy, a host on the Football… but bettor podcast, believes that Everton’s Jordan Pickford could cost England the World Cup and sees the 28-year-old as ‘below average’.
Jordan Pickford has started all of England’s World Cup 2022 fixtures so far, keeping 3 clean sheets and only conceding twice in 4 games so far.
He played a massive role in his side’s 3-0 win over Senegal in the round of 16 and is bound to be vital if England progress past holders France in the next round.
Although his performances for the 3 lions lately have been nothing short of flawless, he is still attracting critics.
On a recent episode of the Football… but bettor podcast, co-host Jason Murphy stated that he thought Jordan Pickford could ‘Cost England the World Cup’:
“I think Jordan Pickford, over the 7 games, could have that one moment that costs England”
“He’s 6’1”, he doesn’t look it on the TV, he looks smaller”
“If you look at Courtois, 6’7”, he won Real Madrid the Champions League because of his size. Jordan Pickford cannot do that”
“stats show that Jordan Pickford is below average” [via Betfair – Twitter]
Although Pickford does stand below average in terms of height amongst professional goalkeepers, height hasn’t always been an issue for successful goalkeepers.
Several goalkeepers will go down in history for winning the World Cup and not being the tallest, with Iker Casillas, possibly the best Spanish goalkeeper of all time, winning the World Cup in 2010 despite only being 6’0”.
Legendary French goalkeeper, Fabien Barthez also won the World Cup with his nation back in 1998 despite also only standing at 6’0” tall.
It really does seem like Jordan Pickford can’t do anything without getting criticised for something, even if it is something he has no control over like his height. He has been one of if not England’s best player over the last 4-5 years and quite frankly deserves a lot more respect than he is receiving.
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