Distill the archetypal moments of Jordan Pickford’s career into one five-second reel and you could not design it to be more perfect. A flinging Superman dive to tip the ball onto the bar to save Everton two points.
A flexed muscle celebration that he would possibly have done at every ground but you better believe that St James’ Park was its natural stage. The more you doubt me, the sillier I will make you look. Pickford called it his greatest ever save.
There is a misconception that this is Pickford displaying his natural cockiness; I don’t buy that. At England camps, when he speaks, confidence is certainly exuded naturally because it fuels his performance.
But the two main impressions are of a man loving what he does with an added tinge of daft lad energy that cuts through the very important business of football. Pickford takes his game seriously. He does not take himself too seriously.
Still on repeat.
— Everton (@Everton) March 1, 2026pic.twitter.com/73ow3XcBfE
Pickford’s club career has been atypical; no doubt. From boyhood club to Everton to Everton to Everton and on, a recent contract signed until 2029 at which point he’ll likely be closing in on 500 Premier League matches.
It is unusual for any consistent England regular to never finish in the top seven of a domestic league, least of all the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper. Maybe that will change this season; Everton have a chance.
Again, that will be mis-sold as either a lack of talent or a lack of ambition. The best theory, I think, is that Pickford values being valued and understands that he is at his best when he’s busy.
In a sport often overly sanitised at the top level, a sea of media speak cliches, Pickford still has the vibe of the kid at school who always wanted to go in goal so they could get as muddy as possible.
Pickford’s consistency of availability is extraordinary. Almost all of his peers have missed time through injury, particularly after they hit 30. Pickford last missed a Premier League game in September 2022 – 12,150 unbroken minutes and counting (lots more if you add in stoppage time).
But it’s the consistency of performance that is most impressive. Pickford was named Everton’s Player of the Year in 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24. He finished third last season in the same voting, but will be in the conversation this season. Only two Premier League goalkeepers have “saved” their clubs more points this season according to the quality of shots faced.
The crucial point of those three individual honours? Everton finished 16th, 17th and 15th in the three seasons: four, two and 14 points above the bottom three. It is inarguable that Everton would have been relegated from the Premier League without him, and what then?
Pickford covered up for the vast flaws around and above him, the recruitment mess and the ownership farce. More than anyone else, he has allowed Everton to enjoy a new era in a new stadium.
Has Pickford’s reputation slightly suffered from being so front and centre of the England team for so long? Probably. Over the course of this summer, he will surpass Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton to become the longest-serving England No 1 in the history of the national team.
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It is a phenomenal achievement by a player who has rarely, if ever, let England down. But being a pillar of a side that never quite achieves what everybody desperately craves comes with its own caveats.
Pickford deserves better. Last week on Monday Night Football, Jamie Carragher picked his top 10 Premier League goalkeepers and there were, obviously, some high-profile omissions: Joe Hart, Shay Given, Brad Friedel, Nigel Martyn, Jussi Jaaskelainen. But so too Pickford.
My top 10 Premier League goalkeepers
- 1) Petr Cech
- 2) Peter Schmeichel
- 3) Edwin van der Sar
- 4) David Seaman
- 5) Alisson Becker
- 6) David de Gea
- 7) Ederson
- 8) Shay Given
- 9) Jordan Pickford
- 10) Brad Friedel
I’d sneak him in there. I suspect that will draw just as much opprobrium as Carragher’s list, because getting a bit too angry about things that ultimately don’t matter is our greatest national sport.
But there’s something inherently appealing about a guy who so obviously loves what he does and is so obviously excellent at doing it. The infectious enthusiasm, the strength of personality and the big saves at big moments. Bring on another penalty shootout this summer.
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