Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has explained what “unsettles” him about Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, following England's heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals. Speaking on World Cup Uncensored, Souness expressed concerns over Pickford's positioning and erratic behaviour outside his penalty area.
Souness Criticises Pickford's Positioning
“I think he had a good tournament, but it unsettles me watching him - rich coming from a Scotsman - where he comes out and his arms are all waving and he's 20 yards outside of his box,” Souness said. “The thing that I dislike about him, and I think is a fault in his game, is all the top goalkeepers really know where they are every moment between the posts, and I don't think he does.”
Souness pointed to specific goals conceded during the tournament. “I think the goal against Norway, I think he could get a hand on that. I think he thinks it's going wide and he leaves it because he's not quite sure of his angles.” Regarding the first goal against Argentina, he added: “The ball goes down the right, he's in goal over that side as the ball goes to Fernandez, he doesn't shuffle across enough. It doesn't go in the far corner, it's relatively central.”
Pickford's World Cup Performance
Pickford started in goal for England throughout the tournament, playing a key role in helping England reach the semi-final. He kept clean sheets in the draw with Ghana and the win over Panama. During the win over Norway, Pickford broke Peter Shilton's record for the most appearances for England at the World Cup (18), extending that record by featuring in the defeat to Argentina.
In the semi-final loss, Pickford made several important saves before Enzo Fernandez equalised from range to cancel out Anthony Gordon's opener. Some critics, including Jamie Carragher, questioned his failure to stop Fernandez's strike from 25 yards out, though there was little he could do about Lautaro Martinez's winning header.
Future for Pickford and England
It remains to be seen if Pickford will start in goal for England in the third-place play-off against France on Saturday, or if manager Thomas Tuchel will give minutes to James Trafford or Dean Henderson. Pickford's overall tournament performance has drawn mixed reviews, with Souness's comments adding to the debate over the goalkeeper's reliability at the highest level.
