Former Premier League footballer Danny Mills has posed question marks over whether Jordan Pickford has the support of his manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Pickford kept a clean sheet in the weekend win over Brighton and Hove Albion, though ex-Leeds United defender Mills has suggested Ancelotti could be tempted to replace the goalkeeper in the future. Speaking to Football Insider, Mills feels that Pickford’s temperament could be a cause for concern and leave the Italian boss making a decision over his position between the sticks for the Toffees.
He said: “He has rash moments. I think that is the problem. I guess being a goalkeeper is all about temperament – can you stay calm under pressure? Can you settle everyone down? “It’s not really his forte, is it? He is a very good goalkeeper, but he does have these moments of rashness, he gets a bit too emotional at times, and that’s not what every manager wants.”
Whether Pickford has a temperament issue or not, perhaps the most important feature of a goalkeeper is the number of goals they concede. While Everton’s form this season may not have helped Pickford’s case in this area, the England shot-stopper has conceded 32 times in the league this year – an average of 1.45 goals per game.
Meanwhile, Pickford only ranks 12th among his Premier League counterparts in terms of shots saved, which may suggest he does not deliver when called upon as much as some of his peers. However, that he has recorded two clean sheets in the four league games under Ancelotti appears to suggest Pickford could be turning his season around, though Mills’ concern and the Italian’s watchful eye are perhaps reasons for the Everton No1 to maintain his recent form if he is to assure himself of a long-term future at Goodison Park.
Everton fans, do you think Pickford’s future at the club is under threat? Let us know what you think below!
