Speaking after Burnley’s 2-1 comeback win over Leicester City, a match where keeper Nick Pope pulled off a string of brilliant saves, former Everton left-back Andy Hinchcliffe hinted to Sky Sports via the Liverpool Echo that the ‘keeper should be starting over Jordan Pickford at Euro 2020 – resulting in some Toffees supporters blasting their former hero.
Hinchcliffe, who made 167 appearances for Everton during his playing career (as per Transfermarkt), has gone on to work in punditry – hinting to Sky that Pope should be England’s number one at Euro 2020. Despite making a brilliant save himself against West Ham over the weekend, Pickford now appears to be competing with Pope for Gareth Southgate’s nod as the Three Lions boss contemplates his best starting eleven for the tournament. In comparison, Pickford has kept four more clean sheets than the Clarets shot-stopper but has also conceded six more goals overall (as per fctables.com) – potentially highlighting a tough debate over who is the better all-round ‘keeper.
However, that hasn’t stopped some Everton fans from blasting Hinchcliffe for his verdict – even going on to hint that he isn’t a club ‘icon’ like the Liverpool Echo suggest. Here’s what they had to say on Twitter.
Another clueless pundit who thinks he’s a expert on goalkeeping
— Keith hudson (@Spudder52) January 20, 2020
Icon ?
— EdEFC74 (@EdEFC74) January 20, 2020
Not an icon at at all.
— Damian Braithwaite (@ScouseWarlord) January 20, 2020
Icon? Took a few cracking corners.
— Jamie Yates (@mrjamieyates) January 20, 2020
Pope has a good match and the red echo tries to stir up a controversy. Typical.
— Emperor Carlo (@polarisms) January 20, 2020
?? I respect Andy H but Pickford has had a couple of dodgy moments for Everton but has been pretty solid for England.
Back ups should only get a chance when the No 1 makes an error
— steve king (@K57Steve) January 20, 2020
Everton fans, who should be England’s first choice shot-stopper? Join the discussion by commenting below…
