Thomas Tuchel stressed Jordan Pickford has done “absolutely nothing wrong” as he explained his decision to drop the England number one.
The Everton goalkeeper was an unused substitute at Wembley as the Three Lions kicked off their Nations League campaign with a 3-2 defeat to the World champions Spain. Pickford was the only notable casualty in the starting line-up with Leeds United's James Trafford instead getting the nod.
Trafford rewarded for strong start
Tuchel later explained his decision, stating it was his belief Trafford deserved the opportunity after a positive start to the Premier League season following his summer move from Manchester City.
Revealing it was his plan to give Pickford and Trafford two games each in the four-match run of Nations League fixtures during this international break, he said: "I think he deserved to get the two matches, that's why we gave him two matches."
"He started the Premier League season well and gets minutes as number one at Leeds. Jordan [Pickford] did absolutely nothing wrong but we wanted to use this competition to see how far actually James is."
Questions over selection
Tuchel’s reasoning was complicated by decisions not to experiment elsewhere as, in Jarrell Quansah and Nico O’Reilly, he continued to use makeshift options at full-back. That he should make such a big call in a competitive game against the World Cup winners also raised eyebrows.
Pickford came under scrutiny during the run to the World Cup semi-finals but also excelled in big moments, producing a fine display in the intense knock-out win over Mexico. Across his 91 caps he has been crucial to successive runs to the final of the European Championships and in helping England reach two World Cup semi-finals.
This was the fifth time the Three Lions conceded three or more goals since the start of 2022. Pickford has not played in any of those games.
On the decision, former England No.1 Paul Robinson told the BBC: "I think Jordan Pickford will be very disappointed. Putting myself in that place, he will be questioning why he is not in that place."
"If he is number one, then why is he not playing against the world champions? You wonder whether this is the next generation coming through for Thomas Tuchel."
