Gary Neville hails Jordan Pickford as England’s man of the match in thrilling Germany win and their best performer of Euro 2020 so far as he says Everton keeper is a ‘different player’ for his country having not conceded once in the tournament so far
Gary Neville believes goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was not only England’s best player in their thrilling win over Germany but has been their stand-out performer at Euro 2020 so far.
The Everton stopper kept his fourth consecutive clean sheet at the tournament as Gareth Southgate‘s team beat their old rivals 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals.
Pickford has yet to concede in 377 minutes of action during the Euros and has saved all 10 shots that have come his way in the four matches.
Jordan Pickford makes a crucial save to deny Timo Werner during England’s win over Germany
England’s No 1 roars with delight following a euphoric win over Germany at Wembley Stadium
Former England defender Gary Neville believes Pickford is the stand-out performer so far
Despite some mistakes for Everton last season, Pickford has fully justified Southgate’s faith in him so far with a last eight clash against Ukraine now the next assignment on Saturday night.
And while defender Harry Maguire was UEFA’s official ‘Star of the Match’ against Germany and goalscorer Raheem Sterling received the highest rating from Sportsmail’s Sami Mokbel, ex-England defender Neville went for Pickford.
He tweeted: ‘My MOM last night was Jordan Pickford and I also think he’s been England’s player of the tournament so far.
‘I’ve been critical of him with Everton but with England he’s a different player!’
Neville tweeted his thoughts the morning after England’s momentous victory over Germany
Harry Maguire was named UEFA’s official Star of the Match but pundit Neville disagreed
The pair do have some previous. In February 2020, Pickford took aim at Neville and other pundits for their constant criticism after a series of costly errors for Everton.
‘It’s funny because everyone raves about you when you are with England, but when you go back to your club everyone wants to slate you,’ Pickford said at the time.
‘It does p*** you off. The press, the punters, everybody – look at Gary Neville – they just want to come for England players. Everyone gets stick.
‘That’s part of being an England player. You have got to live with it, you have got to learn.
‘You just keep it away from your head as the only person who can sort things out is yourself as an individual, on the pitch and in training.
Raheem Sterling scored England’s opening goal (pictured) before Harry Kane added another
Pickford has made some high-profile errors for Everton but seems to excel for England
‘Every England player gets stick. Some get a lot more praise than others. It is what it is. Look at Joe Hart when he was No 1, he got pelters every week.
‘It’s easy to see. Everyone hates you, for some reason. I just get on with it. I know what I am capable of and I know what I am good at.
‘It’s looking after things on the pitch for Everton that is my main aim. That gets you picked for England. I know I have been good for England.’
Pickford certainly impressed on Tuesday night, denying Germany striker Timo Werner in the first-half and touching over a powerful Kai Havertz strike after the break to impress Neville.