‘100%’: Micah Richards is now certain that the £30 million Everton player will not be the first choice at the Euros this summer.
Micah Richards, a football pundit, believes Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford will not be England’s first choice for the European Championships next summer.
Indeed, Richards has indicated that he is ‘100%’ certain that the £30 million keeper will lose his starting spot in Gareth Southgate’s XI to Newcastle United’s Nick Pope.
On The Rest is Football Podcast, Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker explored England’s goalkeeping possibilities ahead of next summer’s tournament in Germany.
“We’ve got Ramsdale who isn’t playing at Arsenal,” Richards explained. We have Pickford, who might be sent off with Everton. Then we go to Crystal Palace, and we have Sam Johnstone…”
Shearer interjects, implying “Pope.”
“Well, I was coming there,” Richards continued. Pope will be the number one player in the Euros at the end of the season.”
“Do you think so?” Lineker inquires.
To which Richards says, “100%.”
Richards may be mistaken about Jordan Pickford, who shone once again during Everton’s weekend victory.
Jordan Pickford has been England’s number one goalkeeper for several years, beginning with an amazing performance at the 2018 World Cup before breaking the record for the most consecutive minutes without conceding a goal at Euro 2021.
Indeed, at the 2022 World Cup, the 29-year-old preserved three clean sheets as England advanced to the quarter-finals before losing to eventual champions France.
For many years, the Everton stopper has been not only the best performing English goalkeeper, but also one of the best performing Premier League keepers overall, despite persistent doubts about his international credentials.
The £30 million goalkeeper is a top-tier performer for both club and country, and while Nick Pope is also an accomplished goalkeeper, Pickford’s experience will be essential for England at the Euros.
The Everton man has already defeated Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale, and he will undoubtedly keep his England berth ahead of next year’s tournament as well.
