Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has unleashed a blistering attack on England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, casting serious doubts over the Everton shot-stopper's reliability following his recent international performances.
The outspoken ITV pundit didn't hold back in his assessment after England's narrow 1-0 victory over Slovenia in their final Euro 2024 group stage match. While the Three Lions secured top spot in Group C, Keane's focus remained firmly on what he perceived as concerning flaws in Pickford's game.
Keane's Scathing Assessment
"We've seen it before with Pickford," Keane declared with characteristic bluntness. "He makes decent saves but there's always that mistake waiting to happen. You just can't trust him when the pressure really mounts."
The Irish football legend highlighted specific moments from the Slovenia encounter that raised alarm bells, suggesting that Pickford's occasional spectacular stops mask deeper issues with his consistency and decision-making.
The Big Game Question Mark
Keane's criticism centres around Pickford's performance in crucial matches, questioning whether the 30-year-old possesses the mental fortitude required for tournament football at the highest level.
"We've seen him produce wonder saves, nobody disputes that," Keane acknowledged. "But it's those moments of madness, the lapses in concentration that cost you in quarter-finals and semi-finals. That's where my concerns lie."
Pickford's England Legacy Under Scrutiny
Despite being Gareth Southgate's established number one through multiple major tournaments, Keane believes the goalkeeper position remains England's Achilles heel. The criticism comes at a sensitive time as England prepare for the knockout stages in Germany.
Pickford, who has earned 64 caps since his 2017 debut, now faces increased scrutiny as the tournament enters its business end. With potential clashes against European heavyweights looming, every save and every decision will be magnified under the intense spotlight of international football.
As the debate rages on, one thing is certain: Jordan Pickford's performances in the coming weeks will either silence his critics or prove Roy Keane's harsh assessment painfully accurate.
