Pickford’s decline a problem for Everton
One issue that was not fully considered in all the post-match analysis of the first defeat for Everton this season, is the decline in the reliability of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
As Everton slumped to that frustrating loss at home last weekend, one thing that seemed particularly evident is the continuing decline in the form of the England keeper.
Pickford had a solid season in 2017-18 in what was his debut campaign for Everton. He then went to the World Cup and performed equally well for his country too as the Three Lions reached a very unexpected semi-final.
However since the start of the current season Pickford has been playing less assuredly and his performance against West Ham was perhaps the poorest. Most obviously the way his poor clearance led directly to the Hammers second goal that effectively killed off the game.
Although Pickford couldn’t be really faulted for letting in any of the goals West Ham scored, it’s his distribution and command of his area that are the real issues for Everton.
One of the keeper’s strengths is his ability on the ball and the quality of his distribution. It’s a big reason why Everton signed him and why Gareth Southgate made him England’s number one.
But recently this aspect of his game has declined markedly. It isn’t just in the West Ham game either. Overall his passing completion rate in the Premier League is at just 45% this season, which is way below where it was for example in the World Cup.
This matters of course because he is instinctively a keeper who will look to play out of defence whenever he can. If he is giving the ball away often in these situations it puts the Blues defence under more pressure. This is precisely what happened against West Ham.
Everton were getting back into the match after their opponents first goal when Pickford made his error and the Hammers got their second.
Another part of his game that is adversely affecting the Blues chances this season is his command, or not, of his penalty area.
Everton have come under scrutiny for the number of goals they have given up when defending set-pieces. Most of the focus has been on how the Toffees defenders have adapted to Marco Silva’s zonal marking system.
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But Pickford’s role in such a system is even more critical. When his defenders are essentially marking space he needs to be very decisive and dominant in the area to come and claim the ball as often as possible.
However he’s not doing that very much and so it’s making the Blues defensive problems more difficult to deal with. Especially when combined with the issue of a new marking system and the number of injuries to defenders Everton have had.
I imagine the only way to overcome this problem is to work hard with the coaching staff at Finch Farm.
As to his distribution, perhaps Pickford should take fewer chances in possession at least until Everton’s players have got to grips with zonal defending and there is a more settled and consistent defence in front of him.