GREEN GLOVES, GOLD STANDARD:
PRIDE OF EVERTON
Jordan Pickford. England’s No. 1. He recently became the record holder for FIFA World Cup appearances for his country (19 and counting), eclipsing Peter Shilton (17), and it still seems like he’s been perpetually underrated, underappreciated, and overlooked as an all-time great. But not to Evertonians.
After the World Cup run that concluded with a 3rd place finish, all of England and the World should finally see his mastery of the position for themselves, putting this debate to bed for good.
Now, as a Welsh American, it’s not always easy to admit when an Englishman has reached that Elite status for their country (only half kidding). But when England’s world-class undisputed starter between the sticks happens to play for the club you support with every fiber of your being, it gets a whole lot easier.
Everton signed Jordan Pickford from Sunderland in June 2017 for a fee of around £30 million, and nearly a decade on, it looks like that was money well spent.
He’s made 362 Premier League appearances, keeping 98 clean sheets in the process.
His durability is what sticks out most to me. He started all 38 Premier League matches in 2025/26, keeping 11 clean sheets, joint-3rd among all goalkeepers in the division, and managed 12 clean sheets across another iron man season the year before.
Everton haven't given him much to brag about at club level, but we’ve certainly given him a stage to perform. Individually, Pickford has made the England job his own, no debate.
For England, since his debut against Germany in November 2017 (clean sheet no. 1), Pickford has earned 91 caps (so far) and kept 46 clean sheets, with more to come. Out of 5 major tournaments he’s participated in, England have managed 2 Euro finals and 2 World Cup semi-finals. I think it’s safe to say their success is in big part due to who’s been in goal.
He has more clean sheets in major tournaments than any England goalkeeper ever, and more shootout penalties saved at those tournaments than any keeper who’s come before him. He became the first England goalkeeper to keep 10 consecutive clean sheets, taking down a Gordon Banks record that had stood since the 60’s.
None of this rotation for rest, no controversy, he’s just better than everyone else and wants to play every game. The overarching debate exists mostly in the stands, on social media, and among English pundits, because, of course, it does, but not in the England dressing room.
A World Cup semi-final this summer and an overall stellar trip to the States with his country have got to do him some good heading into the Premier League season, even if they fell short of the ultimate prize.
The doubters keep asking, ‘Is he good enough?’ Pickford keeps answering it with an emphatic, ‘Yes.’
Is he the greatest Everton goalkeeper to ever grace Merseyside? That’s a conversation for another time..
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I really like that this isn't really an argument for Pickford's ability but about the recognition he deserves. Sometimes the longest journey isn't becoming great, it's convincing everyone else you already are, and Pickford for me has been an exceptional goalkeeper for England for the last near decade!