Ancelotti need to shake things up – and dropping Pickford is a start [Opinion]

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti may feel vindicated over his unenthusiastic goalkeeping remarks regarding the prospects of Jordan Pickford after their 2-0 loss to Newcastle yesterday.

A successful set piece routine and a fortuitous unmatched counterattack was all it took for the Toffees to come unstuck at the hands of Steve Bruce’s side, who had been on an 11-match winless run prior to their visit to Goodison Park.

It should be made clear that Pickford was not a lumbering liability between the posts, but Ancelotti put a show of faith in the 26-year-old against Newcastle. That faith flew in the face of expectations after the England international dropped yet another series of high-profile errors against the Leicester in midweek, virtually gifting the Foxes a point.

Indeed, criticism of recent performances prompted a mixed bag of spirited defences laced with cautious ambiguity in separate comments from Ancelotti, who arguably alluded to a more nailed-down role for Robin Olsen as he issued his belief that neither goalkeeper was inherently greater than the other.

Prior to yesterday’s clash, the manager had said he would “have to think about” whether to stick with the England number one or call in his Swedish counterpart.

Given the context of Pickford’s form, it was not hard to extrapolate that Ancelotti felt Olsen could usurp the 26-year-old’s place in a longer-term spell. However, after the Newcastle defeat, tough changes need to be made if Everton are to keep pushing up the table.

In many ways, Pickford is a victim of the scoreline. He failed to take serious charge for Callum Wilson’s second goal and did not close him down, but that is likely a tactical choice imposed from above.

Conversely, the necessity of Olsen’s future inclusion comes more from setting the tone of future lineups. Ancelotti has shown in previous selections he is unafraid to experiment, even between the sticks.

Indeed, Olsen filled in for Pickford in the reverse fixture at St James’ Park three months ago and he has to wield the sword over the goalkeeping berth in a change that is emblematic of a wider desire to make everyone on the team fight for their places.

It is unfortunate that Pickford is a natural scapegoat – he certainly made some redemptive saves even against Newcastle – but he is unquestionably in the firing line.

The typical security of the number one jersey is the first obstacle to send a clear message of intent to Everton and their squad.