Jordan Pickford
English footballer.
Jordan Pickford currently plays as a goalkeeper for Everton in the Premier League and is the first-choice goalkeeper for the England national team. He joined Everton in 2017 for a fee of £25 million, which at the time was a record for a British goalkeeper. Since then, Pickford has established himself as one of the Premier League's most consistent and reliable goalkeepers.At Everton, Pickford has been a mainstay in the team, making over 200 appearances across all competitions. His performances have been crucial in helping Everton maintain their Premier League status, particularly during challenging seasons. Pickford's shot-stopping ability, distribution skills, and commanding presence in the box have made him a fan favorite at Goodison Park.
On the international stage, Pickford has been England's number one goalkeeper since 2018. He played a pivotal role in England's run to the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where his penalty shootout heroics against Colombia in the round of 16 earned him widespread acclaim. He continued to impress in subsequent tournaments, including Euro 2020 (played in 2021), where England reached the final.Pickford's performances at Euro 2024 have been a topic of discussion. While he has maintained his position as England's first-choice goalkeeper, there has been some criticism of his long-ball tactics. Statistics show that Pickford has attempted to launch the ball more than any other player in the competition after two rounds of games, which has led to debates about England's playing style and ball retention.
Despite this, Pickford's ability to perform in high-pressure situations, particularly in penalty shootouts, has been a significant asset for England. His penalty save against Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarter-final helped secure England's place in the semi-finals, further cementing his status as a key player for the national team.
Early life & youth football
Jordan Pickford was born on March 7, 1994, in Washington, Tyne and Wear. He began his football journey at an early age, joining Sunderland's academy at the age of eight. Pickford's talent was evident from a young age, and he quickly progressed through the ranks at Sunderland.As a youth player, Pickford represented England at various age levels, including the Under-16, Under-17, Under-18, Under-19, and Under-21 teams. This experience at the international youth level helped shape his development and prepared him for the challenges of professional football.Pickford's path to the first team at Sunderland involved several loan spells to gain experience and playing time.
He had loan stints at Darlington, Alfreton Town, Burton Albion, Carlisle United, Bradford City, and Preston North End. These loans were crucial in his development, exposing him to different levels of football and helping him mature as a goalkeeper.His breakthrough at Sunderland came in the 2016-17 season when he became the club's first-choice goalkeeper. Despite Sunderland's relegation that season, Pickford's performances were a bright spot, earning him a move to Everton and a call-up to the England senior squad.Pickford's early career was characterized by his rapid rise through the ranks and his ability to adapt to different levels of football. His experiences in the lower leagues during his loan spells helped shape his playing style and mentality, preparing him for the challenges of Premier League and international football.
Professional career
Pickford joined Sunderland's Academy at the age of eight in 2002. He progressed through the age groups, showing promise as a young goalkeeper. In 2010, he signed two-year scholarship terms with the club, marking the beginning of his journey towards professional football.In 2011, Pickford signed his first professional contract with Sunderland.
This was a significant milestone in his career, recognizing his potential and securing his future with the club. However, as is common for young goalkeepers, Pickford needed to gain first-team experience, which led to a series of loan moves.Pickford's first loan spell was with Darlington in the Conference Premier (now National League) in January 2012. At just 17 years old, he made his senior debut in a 1-0 loss to Fleetwood Town.
Despite Darlington's financial troubles and eventual relegation, Pickford made 17 appearances, gaining valuable experience in a challenging environment.In February 2013, Pickford joined Alfreton Town, also in the Conference Premier, on a one-month loan. This spell was brief but provided additional senior football experience, with Pickford making 12 appearances for the club.Pickford had two separate loan spells at Burton Albion in League Two during 2013.
His first stint began in August, where he made 12 appearances before being recalled by Sunderland in October. He returned to Burton for a second spell in November, adding another appearance to his tally.In February 2014, Pickford joined League One side Carlisle United on an initial one-month loan, which was later extended until the end of the season. He made his debut in a 2-1 loss to Gillingham and went on to make 18 appearances for the club.
This spell in League One represented a step up in competition and further enhanced his development.Pickford's next loan move was to Bradford City in League One for the 2014-15 season. This was his most substantial loan spell yet, with Pickford making 33 appearances across all competitions. He kept 13 clean sheets during his time at Bradford, showcasing his growing ability as a goalkeeper.
Pickford's final and most significant loan spell came at Preston North End in the Championship for the 2015-16 season. He made an immediate impact, keeping clean sheets in his first three league appearances. Pickford's performances were outstanding, and he equaled a club record by keeping six consecutive clean sheets. His distribution skills and commanding presence in the box drew praise from teammates and observers alike.
In total, he made 24 appearances for Preston before being recalled by Sunderland in January 2016.Pickford's return to Sunderland in January 2016 marked the beginning of his breakthrough at his parent club. He made his Premier League debut against Tottenham on January 16, 2016, in a 4-1 loss. Despite the result, Pickford's performance showed promise.
The 2016-17 season was Pickford's breakout year at Sunderland. He began the season as understudy to Vito Mannone but got his chance when Mannone suffered an arm injury. Pickford seized the opportunity, establishing himself as Sunderland's first-choice goalkeeper.Despite Sunderland's struggles in the league (they were ultimately relegated), Pickford's performances were a bright spot.
He made 29 Premier League appearances, showcasing his shot-stopping ability, distribution skills, and commanding presence in the box. His performances earned him a nomination for the PFA Young Player of the Year award, a remarkable achievement for a goalkeeper in a relegated team.Pickford's standout performances for Sunderland during this difficult season caught the eye of several top clubs. His ability to perform consistently in a struggling team demonstrated his mental strength and quality as a goalkeeper.
Throughout his time at Sunderland, from academy to first team, Pickford made a total of 35 appearances for the club. While this number might seem small, it's important to consider the 116 appearances he made during his various loan spells, which were crucial to his development. Jordan Pickford joined Everton from Sunderland on June 15, 2017, for an initial fee of £25 million, potentially rising to £30 million with add-ons. This transfer made him the third most expensive goalkeeper in history at the time and the most expensive British goalkeeper ever.
Pickford made his Premier League debut for Everton on August 12, 2017, in a 1-0 victory over Stoke City at Goodison Park. This match set the tone for a strong first season with the club, where he quickly established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper.Throughout the 2017/18 season, Pickford was a consistent presence in Everton's lineup. He made 38 appearances in the Premier League, playing every minute of the league campaign.
In addition to his league appearances, he also featured in the Europa League and domestic cup competitions, bringing his total appearances for the season to 46 across all competitions.Pickford's performances were a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season for Everton. His shot-stopping ability, distribution skills, and commanding presence in the box earned him praise from fans and pundits alike. His form also caught the attention of England manager Gareth Southgate, leading to his inclusion in the national team squad.
At the end of the season, Pickford's contributions were recognized by the club. He was named Everton's Player of the Season, a significant achievement for a goalkeeper in his debut season with the team. This award, along with other club accolades, highlighted the positive impact he had made since his arrival.Pickford's successful first season at Everton laid the foundation for his future with the club and cemented his status as one of England's top goalkeepers.
Pickford's 2018/19 season with Everton was marked by both impressive performances and notable errors. He remained the first-choice goalkeeper for the club, making 38 appearances in the Premier League and playing every minute of the league campaign.One of the most talked-about moments of Pickford's season came in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool on December 2, 2018. In the final minute of the match, Pickford misjudged a looping volley from Virgil van Dijk, allowing the ball to bounce off the crossbar.
In his attempt to catch the rebound, he inadvertently pushed the ball onto the head of Divock Origi, who scored the winning goal for Liverpool. This error cost Everton a valuable point and was widely discussed in the media.Another notable incident occurred on March 10, 2019, in a match against Newcastle United. Pickford made a series of errors that contributed to Everton squandering a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2.
He misjudged a cross, conceded a penalty (which he then saved), and was seen smiling at Newcastle fans after a missed chance. His emotional reactions during this game were criticized, with some suggesting that his history as a former Sunderland player may have affected his focus.Despite these high-profile mistakes, Pickford also had many positive moments throughout the season. He kept 14 clean sheets in the Premier League, showcasing his shot-stopping abilities and commanding presence in the box.
Pickford's performances for Everton during this season kept him as England's first-choice goalkeeper. He played a crucial role in England's UEFA Nations League campaign, helping the team reach the finals in Portugal.Off the field, Pickford faced some controversy in April 2019 when he was allegedly involved in a bar fight in Sunderland. The incident was investigated by the police, and Everton stated they would deal with the matter internally.
Overall, while the 2018/19 season had its challenges for Pickford, he remained a key player for Everton. His ability to bounce back from errors and maintain his position as the club's and country's number one goalkeeper demonstrated his mental strength and the faith that his managers had in his abilities. Pickford remained Everton's first-choice goalkeeper for the 2019/20 season, making 38 appearances in the Premier League and keeping 13 clean sheets. However, this season was marked by inconsistent performances and notable errors that drew criticism from fans and pundits alike.
Pickford's form during this season was a cause for concern. He made four errors leading to goals, the highest of any goalkeeper in the Premier League that season. This statistic highlighted the challenges he faced in maintaining consistency between the posts. Additionally, when it came to shot-stopping, only Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga saved fewer shots than Pickford, further emphasizing his struggles.
Despite these issues, Everton's manager Carlo Ancelotti continued to support Pickford publicly. Ancelotti was quoted saying, "Sometimes unfortunately you can have a mistake but after that you need to have the personality to move on quickly and he did." This backing from his manager was crucial in maintaining Pickford's confidence during a difficult period.While Pickford struggled in the Premier League, he performed better in the EFL Cup.
He was part of the Everton team that reached the quarter-finals of the competition. A highlight of his cup performance came against Leicester City, where he saved a penalty from James Maddison. However, despite this save, Everton were ultimately eliminated from the competition after a penalty shoot-out.The 2019/20 season was also notable for being interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a three-month suspension of the Premier League from March to June 2020.
This unprecedented break in the middle of the season added an extra layer of challenge for all players, including Pickford, as they had to maintain fitness and form during the lockdown period.Despite his struggles, Pickford's position as England's first-choice goalkeeper remained largely unchallenged during this period. However, his inconsistent club form did lead to increased scrutiny and debate about his place in the national team.Overall, the 2019/20 season was a challenging one for Pickford, marked by errors and inconsistency.
However, it also demonstrated his resilience and ability to maintain his position as Everton's number one goalkeeper despite these difficulties. Pickford continued as Everton's first-choice goalkeeper for the 2020/21 season. He was part of the team that started the season strongly, winning their opening four games for the first time since the 1969–70 season.However, Pickford's season was marked by controversy in the first Merseyside derby.
During the match against Liverpool on October 17, 2020, Pickford made a reckless tackle on Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, resulting in a season-ending ACL injury for the Dutch player. The incident drew significant criticism, though Pickford escaped punishment as the challenge was deemed to have occurred after an offside decision.Despite this controversy, Pickford maintained his position as Everton's number one goalkeeper throughout the season. He made 31 appearances in the Premier League, keeping 10 clean sheets.
His performances showed improvement from the previous season, with fewer high-profile errors.Pickford's form during this season helped him retain his place as England's first-choice goalkeeper. He was selected for the rescheduled UEFA Euro 2020 tournament, which took place in the summer of 2021.One of the highlights of Pickford's season came in the form of his distribution skills.
He provided an assist for Dominic Calvert-Lewin in a 5-2 win against West Bromwich Albion on September 19, 2020, showcasing his ability to contribute to attacking play.Despite some inconsistencies, Pickford's performances were generally solid throughout the season. He played a crucial role in Everton's push for European qualification, though the team ultimately finished 10th in the Premier League.Overall, the 2020/21 season saw Pickford bounce back from some of the criticisms of the previous year, demonstrating improved consistency and maintaining his status as one of England's top goalkeepers.
The 2021/22 season was a challenging one for Everton as a team, but Jordan Pickford's performances were a bright spot in an otherwise difficult campaign. Pickford remained Everton's first-choice goalkeeper, playing a crucial role in the club's successful battle against relegation.Throughout the season, Pickford made 35 appearances in the Premier League, keeping 8 clean sheets. His performances were particularly crucial in the latter part of the season as Everton fought to maintain their Premier League status.
One of the standout moments of Pickford's season came on May 1, 2022, in a crucial match against Chelsea. Pickford made a remarkable double save that was later awarded the 2021–22 Castrol Save of the Season. After Mason Mount's shot had hit both posts, Pickford raced across his line and then dived in the opposite direction to keep out Cesar Azpilicueta's rebound. This save was instrumental in Everton's 1-0 victory, a result that proved vital in their fight against relegation.
Pickford's performances throughout the season were recognized by the club and its fans. On May 25, 2022, he was awarded Everton's Player of the Season, a testament to his consistency and importance to the team during a difficult campaign.His form for Everton also helped him maintain his position as England's first-choice goalkeeper. Pickford featured in several international matches during the season, including World Cup qualifiers and UEFA Nations League games.
Despite Everton's struggles, Pickford's individual performances were generally strong. His shot-stopping ability, distribution skills, and commanding presence in the box were crucial in several matches where Everton were under pressure.The 2021/22 season highlighted Pickford's importance to Everton. His ability to perform consistently well, even when the team was struggling, demonstrated his mental strength and quality as a goalkeeper.
His crucial saves in high-pressure situations played a significant role in Everton avoiding relegation, finishing 16th in the Premier League, four points clear of the relegation zone. Pickford continued as Everton's first-choice goalkeeper for the 2022/23 season, playing a crucial role in the team's Premier League campaign. He made 38 appearances in the league, keeping 10 clean sheets.The season started positively for Pickford, with his first clean sheet coming in the Merseyside derby on September 3, 2022, in a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park.
His performance in this match drew praise from BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty, who stated that "Pickford's status as England's first choice goalkeeper is unquestioned and fully deserved" ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.Pickford's consistent performances throughout the season were vital for Everton, who once again found themselves in a relegation battle. His shot-stopping abilities and commanding presence in the box were crucial in several matches where Everton were under pressure.A significant moment in Pickford's season came on February 24, 2023, when he signed a new contract with Everton, extending his stay at the club until June 2027.
This contract renewal demonstrated the club's faith in Pickford and his commitment to Everton despite interest from other clubs.Pickford's performances were particularly crucial in the latter part of the season as Everton fought to maintain their Premier League status. The team ultimately finished 17th, just two points clear of the relegation zone, with Pickford's saves playing a significant role in securing vital points.At the international level, Pickford remained England's first-choice goalkeeper, featuring in several UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers during the season.
Despite Everton's struggles as a team, Pickford's individual performances were once again recognized by the club and its fans. At the end of the 2022/23 season, he was named Everton's Player of the Season for the second consecutive year, highlighting his importance to the team.Overall, the 2022/23 season further cemented Pickford's status as one of the Premier League's top goalkeepers and a key player for both Everton and England. His ability to perform consistently well, even when the team was struggling, demonstrated his mental strength and quality as a goalkeeper.
Pickford continued as Everton's first-choice goalkeeper for the 2023/24 season, playing a crucial role in the team's Premier League campaign. He made 38 appearances in the league, keeping 10 clean sheets.The season was a successful one for Everton, with the team finishing in a much-improved position compared to their relegation battles of previous years. Pickford's performances were a key factor in this improvement.
Pickford's consistent displays throughout the season earned him recognition from both the club and fans. At the end of the 2023/24 season, he was named Everton's Player of the Season for the third consecutive year, highlighting his importance to the team and the quality of his performances.His form for Everton also helped him maintain his position as England's first-choice goalkeeper. Pickford featured in several international matches during the season, including Euro 2024 qualifiers and the tournament itself.
However, Pickford's performances at Euro 2024 drew some criticism. Statistics showed that he attempted to launch the ball long more than any other player in the competition after two rounds of games. This tactic was seen as potentially detrimental to England's possession-based approach and ability to control games.Despite this criticism, Pickford's shot-stopping ability and commanding presence in the box remained crucial for both Everton and England throughout the season.
Overall, the 2023/24 season further cemented Pickford's status as one of the Premier League's top goalkeepers and a key player for both Everton and England, despite some tactical debates surrounding his style of play at the international level.
National team
Jordan Pickford's international career with England has been marked by significant achievements and crucial performances in major tournaments. His journey with the national team began in the youth ranks, but it's his contributions to the senior squad that have cemented his place as England's first-choice goalkeeper.Pickford made his senior debut for England on November 10, 2017, in a friendly match against Germany at Wembley Stadium. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, with Pickford keeping a clean sheet and impressing with his performance.
This debut set the tone for what would become a successful international career.Pickford's first major tournament was the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He was named in the 23-man England squad and started the opening match against Tunisia, which England won 2-1. However, it was in the round of 16 match against Colombia that Pickford truly announced himself on the international stage.In a tense match that went to penalties after a 1-1 draw, Pickford made a crucial save from Carlos Bacca in the shootout. This save helped England secure their first-ever World Cup penalty shootout victory and a place in the quarter-finals.
Pickford's performance in this match was widely praised and played a significant role in boosting the team's confidence.Pickford continued his impressive form in the quarter-final against Sweden, keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 victory. This performance earned him the man of the match award and helped England reach the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time since 1990. Although England were ultimately eliminated in the semi-finals by Croatia, Pickford's performances throughout the tournament established him as England's undisputed number one goalkeeper.
Following the World Cup, Pickford played a key role in England's inaugural UEFA Nations League campaign in 2019. In the third-place playoff against Switzerland, Pickford not only saved a penalty in the shootout but also scored one himself. This made him the first goalkeeper to take and score a penalty in a competitive shootout for England, further highlighting his composure and skill in high-pressure situations.Pickford's next major tournament was the rescheduled UEFA Euro 2020, held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His performances in this tournament were exceptional and record-breaking. Pickford became the first goalkeeper in history to keep clean sheets in the first five games of a European Championship.
This impressive run included clean sheets against Croatia, Scotland, Czech Republic, Germany, and Ukraine.On July 7, 2021, during the semi-final against Denmark, Pickford set an all-time England record for most consecutive scoreless minutes posted by a goalkeeper. He surpassed the previous record of 720 minutes held by Gordon Banks, setting a new mark of 721 minutes. This achievement underscored Pickford's consistency and reliability between the posts for England.In the final against Italy, Pickford continued his strong form. He made several crucial saves during the match, which ended 1-1 after extra time. In the penalty shootout, Pickford saved two Italian penalties. However, despite his efforts, England ultimately lost the shootout 3-2. Despite the heartbreaking loss, Pickford's performances throughout the tournament were widely praised, and he was named in the Team of the Tournament.Pickford maintained his position as England's first-choice goalkeeper for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He played every minute of England's campaign and kept three clean sheets. His first two clean sheets came in the group stage matches against the USA (0-0) and Wales (3-0), helping England top their group. He also kept a clean sheet in England's 3-0 victory over Senegal in the Round of 16.Pickford's 50th cap for England came in the quarter-final match against France. Although England were eliminated after a 2-1 defeat, Pickford's overall performance in the tournament was solid, further solidifying his position as England's number one goalkeeper.Pickford's most recent major tournament was UEFA Euro 2024. He started England's opening match against Serbia, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory. This clean sheet was significant as it was Pickford's tenth in a major international tournament for England, equaling Peter Shilton's record. He then broke this record on June 25, achieving his eleventh clean sheet in a 0-0 draw against Slovenia.Pickford's penalty-saving prowess came to the fore once again in the quarter-final against Switzerland. After the match went to a penalty shootout, Pickford saved the first kick from Manuel Akanji. This was the only unsuccessful kick of the shootout, as England won 5-3 to progress to the semi-finals.Throughout his international career, Pickford has consistently demonstrated his shot-stopping ability, distribution skills, and composure under pressure. His performances in penalty shootouts have been particularly noteworthy, with crucial saves in the 2018 World Cup, 2019 Nations League, and Euro 2024.As of September 2024, Pickford has earned 70 caps for England, keeping 32 clean sheets. His record-breaking performances at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, along with his consistent displays in other major tournaments, have cemented his status as one of England's top goalkeepers
Player’s style
Pickford's style of play is characterized by his excellent shot-stopping ability, commanding presence in the box, and exceptional distribution skills. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch, Pickford may not be the tallest goalkeeper, but he compensates with his agility, quick reflexes, and excellent positioning.One of Pickford's most notable attributes is his distribution. He has an impressive range of passing, capable of accurately launching long balls to initiate attacks or finding teammates in space.
This ability has made him a key part of both Everton's and England's build-up play. However, this aspect of his game has also been a point of discussion, particularly in the context of England's tactics at Euro 2024, where his frequent long balls have been seen as potentially detrimental to the team's possession-based approach.Pickford is known for his excellent shot-stopping skills. He has quick reflexes and a strong diving ability, allowing him to make spectacular saves.
His ability to read the game and position himself well often puts him in the right place to make crucial stops.In terms of commanding his area, Pickford is vocal and assertive. He's not afraid to come off his line to claim crosses or clear danger, although statistics suggest he could improve in this area compared to some of his peers.Pickford is also known for his ability to perform under pressure, particularly in penalty shootouts.
His penalty-saving record for England has been impressive, making crucial saves in high-stakes situations.While his emotional intensity on the pitch has sometimes been criticized, it's also seen as a key part of his playing style, driving him to make crucial interventions and maintain high levels of concentration throughout matches.