Jordan Pickford had a decent start but it has gone downhill since then.
Jordan Pickford:
Games played – 9
Minutes played – 810
Goals Conceded – 15
Clean sheets – 1
The Englishman was already under pressure at the beginning of the campaign, quite essentially, fighting to keep his long term Everton future secure as reports were flying about the uncertainty regarding his future. Pickford proved all doubters wrong with a fantastic start against Tottenham Hotspur arguably putting in a man of the match performance.
However, post that game, he has never been able to reach that level again this season. Even though the Royal Blues were flying in the attacking department before the first international break, Pickford was not producing the kind of performances you expect from England No.1.
Then came the infamous Merseyside derby incident where he put in an abysmal tackle on Virgil van Dijk didn’t and escaped a red card due to the player being off side. What followed was completely uncalled for. The 26 year old received hate, abuses and threats from the red half of Merseyside.
I completely agree that Pickford should have received a red but the abuse aimed at him was completely unacceptable. Pickford did pull off a couple of instinctive and spectacular saves in the derby but the overall display was not up to the mark.
Ancelotti made a change against Newcastle United, dropping Pickford in favour of Robin Olsen. The Englishman had a record of starting 120 consecutive Premier League games which was eventually broken.
Pickford hasn’t had a miserable campaign but he hasn’t had a spectacular one either so far.