Burnley’s Nick Pope is set to start in England’s international friendly against the Republic of Ireland tonight ahead of regular first-choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, according to Sky Sports.
In a snub to the Everton shot-stopper, he will not be favoured by manager Gareth Southgate for the friendly. The news comes in the wake of a number of high-profile goalkeeping errors and controversy surrounding a season-ending challenge on Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.
However, Southgate has publicly defended Pickford and reiterated the centrality of the player to his plans.
“When people say I have been loyal to him, he has deserved that. His performances for us have been excellent so that has not been a difficult decision for me.
“We have some competition for places but I would have to say that there is nobody who I think is challenging seriously at the moment to push him out of that position.
“In terms of how his club are looking after him, he has got a hugely experienced manager there who has won everything in the game. He is in a very good place.”
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This is not cause for major concern, as Pickford tends to start in competitive fixtures – his UEFA Nations League appearances against Belgium and Denmark proved as such.
Equally, there has been a tendency for Pope to be given his chance in friendly matches, as was the case in the 3-0 win over Wales last month.
Pickford has been affirmed as a key part of Southgate’s plans, and so there is every reason to believe that the England coach will retain his faith in the Everton man for the big games.
A greater cause for concern is the fact that England may have to forfeit the game against Iceland, who are due to play in Denmark after UEFA sanctioned the fixture. Due to current UK quarantine regulations, the Icelandic squad will not be able to enter the UK if they have previously visited Denmark. This may be a greater threat to Pickford’s international minutes than Pope taking his place at Wembley tonight.
