Merseyside | Why is Jordan Pickford so good?

From flashes of temper to a model of consistency

Jordan Pickford broke Gordon Banks’ long-standing record last week by securing his eighth consecutive clean sheet for England, marking more than a year without conceding a goal for his country.

Author | James L

Pickford playing for Everton in 2022

With Everton expected to announce a new long-term contract for the goalkeeper once he returns from international duty, it is worth examining the technical and emotional evolution behind his success and how much it truly matters.

Cutting out the errors

In his early years at Everton, Pickford’s reputation was as much about his volatility as his shot-stopping. Mistakes and emotional outbursts seemed to go hand in hand. That has shifted notably in recent seasons. The lapses have diminished, replaced by a steadier, more composed performer between the posts.

Since making his England debut in 2017, he has made only one error directly leading to a goal, a misjudged clearance against Belgium in March 2024.

Still evolving

While his reliability has improved, the role of a goalkeeper has changed too. No longer judged purely on their handling or reflexes, modern keepers are expected to act as playmakers.

Pickford’s distribution has long been one of his standout qualities. His ability to launch counterattacks with precise long passes remains among the best in the Premier League, a crucial asset for both club and country.

READ MORE | Everton end Palace's long unbeaten run

READ MORE | Sporting news from across Merseyside

A calmer presence

Again, if there has been a defining shift in Pickford’s career, it is his temperament. What once seemed combustible has mellowed into control.

One Everton fan told us: “Earlier in his career there were times it felt like if he was bored, he had to do something just to be involved. Now he’s comfortable stepping back. He understands it starts with him, and if he’s calm, the defence and the rest of the team follow.”

He was recognised by the club in 2024 as being their player of the season

Reaching his peak

Pickford joined Everton from Sunderland in 2017 for £30 million, then a record fee for a British goalkeeper. On Sunday, he made his 300th Premier League appearance for the club in the win over Crystal Palace.

Talks over a new deal began last month, and with his current contract running until 2027, Pickford looks set to spend his prime years on Merseyside, a fitting home for a player who has turned volatility into reliability and talent into authority.