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Everton: Southgate mulls over Jordan Pickford replacement should he be ruled out for England’s WC Qualifiers

By Parth Jhaveri

Everton's English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford reacts after an injury during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Burnley at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on March 13, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PETER POWELL / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PETER POWELL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Everton's English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford reacts after an injury during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Burnley at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on March 13, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PETER POWELL / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PETER POWELL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Everton have lingered in and around the top six for most part of the season, giving hope to Everton romantics of achieving the European dream under Carlo Ancelotti’s first full season at Goodison.

Ancelotti has done a fantastic job, extracting the maximum out of this group, coping with injuries to key personnel in every phase of the campaign and negating the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City but the home form remains a headache to which he hasn’t found the aspirin yet.

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Everton’s dismal home performance against Burnley surely invites criticism and exposes problems that need to be desperately solved or the European dream could well be over. In addition to the embarrassing loss, Everton were also dealt with more bad luck as Jordan Pickford had to be substituted off in the 43rd minute, giving Joao Virginia his Premier League debut.

Pickford appeared to be in pain after diving to keep Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s shot away. Post the game, Ancelotti gave an update on what happened to the England No.1 and whether it is going to sideline him for a long period of time.

"We don’t know. He has exactly the same problem as the month when he was out for two or three games. He has a scan on Monday and we will see after the scan. I hope that Jordan can recover soon but we have to see, we have to check.It is not going to be a big, big problem because it is the same problem [as before]. It is true he was out for two to three games but I hope he can recover soon. (via Liverpool ECHO)"

The 27 year old suffered a similar rib injury last month which forced him to miss four games in total (three Premier League games, one FA Cup tie). The short break allowed Pickford to recharge and reenergize himself as he showcased outstanding performances upon return, making 22 saves in five games, keeping three clean sheets. The injury has not only raised concerns at Everton but also for England manager Gareth Southgate.

Sam Johnstone could replace Jordan Pickford in the England squad if the Everton man is injured

According to the Daily Mail, Southgate is waiting for an update on Pickford and should he remain injured or deemed unfit for the International fixtures, the former Aston Villa manager could pick West Bromwich keeper Sam Johnstone.

Johnstone could be in line for his first senior call up after impressing this season at the Hawthorns. The team might be struggling to escape relegation but that hasn’t stopped Southgate from noticing Johnstone. The 27 year old leads the table for most saves this season with 113 saves along with a save percentage of 69.1%. (stats via FBref)

England are hopeful that Jordan Pickford will be fit but if he is ruled out, Southgate could replace him with Johnstone. This could also see Burnley’s Nick Pope inherit the England No.1 goalkeeping spot for the time being as healthy competition continues between him and Pickford for the No.1 role with the Everton man edging him regularly.

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Ancelotti’s statement post the Burnley game give hope that Pickford hasn’t suffered any serious injury and should be back between the sticks soon. England play their FIFA World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland in the upcoming International break.

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