David James believes Jordan Pickford could be on the pathway to becoming England’s greatest goalkeeper. The former England and Liverpool number one thinks the Everton star is second only to World Cup winner Gordon Banks in the list of all-time greats to wear the gloves for the Three Lions. And should Pickford help England to success this summer, he would leapfrog Banks, according to James.
James Praises Pickford's International Career
The 55-year-old, who led England through Euro 2004 and later started games in the 2010 World Cup, had high praise for the international career the former Sunderland stopper has already achieved. James said: “In terms of England goalkeepers, Jordan Pickford is kind of like 1.2 when it comes to England. Gordon Banks is still number one because he's the only England goalkeeper with a World Cup winner's medal.
“Jordan has come very close, having played in a couple of major finals, and he's the only other England goalkeeper to have played in a major tournament final. So he's right up there. What I love about Jordan is that he's been fantastic for England throughout every tournament. The trust shown in him by, firstly, Gareth Southgate and now Thomas Tuchel says a lot.”
Pickford's Record and Potential
Pickford has 84 caps for England, keeping 44 clean sheets in that time, including his latest in the friendly win over Costa Rica this week. He has led England to the final of two European Championships and to the latter stages of the World Cup, including the semi-finals in 2018. Of the 32-year-old, James told BetVictor: “I’d say 1.2 but he’s a World Cup away from becoming number one. Gordon Banks did enough to earn that position.
“Ironically, he conceded two goals in the 1966 final, but throughout that tournament, he was immense, and he's still the only England goalkeeper to win something. I often think back to the Euro 2020 final. Jordan did everything Gianluigi Donnarumma did, yet Donnarumma was named Player of the Tournament and Jordan wasn't.”
