Former England striker Kevin Phillips has backed Jordan Pickford to retain his position as England's number one goalkeeper, despite being dropped by Thomas Tuchel for the first two matches of the current international break.
Pickford has been England's first choice since making his international debut in a goalless draw against Germany at Wembley on November 10, 2017, less than five months after joining Everton from Sunderland for £25million. He has won 91 caps and holds the record for the most World Cup appearances by an England player, with 19.
The 32-year-old has also surpassed Phil Jagielka's record of 40 appearances for England while at Everton.
Phillips backs Pickford despite surprise at decision
Speaking courtesy of BestBettingSites.co.uk, Phillips, who won eight England caps and scored 30 Premier League goals for Sunderland in 1999/2000 under Peter Reid, said: "I was a bit surprised he was dropped, if I'm being honest. I don't think Jordan would have taken it too well or been too happy, because he's a winner, and I think he's been fantastic."
"I've never criticised Jordan. I think he's been fantastic for club and country, he never lets them down. So, I still believe he's the number one. But of course, Tuchel is having a look at someone else. So, I was surprised, to be honest," Phillips added.
"Hopefully he'll be back between the sticks very, very soon. What Jordan can do is go back to Everton and put in fine displays as he always has done, just to remind people that he is England's number one."
Trafford and Smith weigh in on the competition
For the first time, Pickford faces serious competition for his shirt following James Trafford's £45million summer move from Manchester City to Leeds United, with the 23-year-old playing regularly at Elland Road.
For the extended four-game international break, Tuchel chose to start with the 6ft 6in Cumbrian in the first two matches, a 3-2 home defeat to World Cup winners Spain and a 2-0 victory in Czechia. Pickford was restored for the trip to Croatia and the return home fixture against the Czechs.
Alan Smith, capped 13 times for England with two international goals, who won two League Championships with Arsenal plus the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup-Winners' Cup, scoring 115 goals in 351 games, said: "I don't know if Trafford is pushing Pickford or not for that number one spot. He started the last two, played on Tuesday night and has done nothing much wrong."
"So, it's been great. To play regularly for your club in the Premier League, obviously that helps you, sharpens you up but I still see him as number two with England. Pickford has had a brilliant England career, done very little wrong. But for Trafford, yeah, really good news for him," Smith added.
