England manager Gareth Southgate has offered an insight into his managerial style by publicly affirming his support for Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford – revealing that he made a compassionate phone call to the 26-year-old after the most recent Merseyside derby.
The 2-2 draw against Liverpool was marred by controversy after a lunge from Pickford severely injured Reds centre-back Virgil van Dijk, and the ‘keeper later escaped a retrospective ban for the challenge.
The backlash and abuse Pickford then suffered as a result of his actions was understandably unnerving to the goalkeeper, who subsequently hired extra security for his family and his Cheshire residence.
Southgate wasted no time in explaining why he called Pickford, what was said and how highly he values the 26-year-old.
“I recognised it had been a very high-profile situation,” said Southgate, quoted by BBC.
“I just felt it would be an appropriate call to make to see how he was.”
“When people say I have been loyal to him he has deserved that.”
Southgate moved quickly to quash the idea that Pickford’s form and recent benching by Carlo Ancelotti invalidated his contention for a call-up, citing his England displays.
“His performances have been excellent for us and 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.
“I think he is also benefiting from as experienced and successful a manager as you can have at club level.
“[Ancelotti] will deal with everything in a very calm manner and a very measured way, so even over the years he has taken an opportunity to rest his goalkeepers – and he did that last week – but within 15 minutes of that decision you knew Jordan would be playing this weekend.
“Of course this has been a very difficult period for [Pickford] in terms of the spotlight on that particular challenge and because of the profile of the player involved in it, but it is disappointing to see a player like that miss football.”
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Southgate’s calm, reassuring and compassionate approach should go a long way to boosting Pickford’s confidence.
The England manager seems to hint that Pickford’s international performances will keep him holding down the number 1 shirt for the Three Lions’ upcoming fixtures and is acutely aware of the difficulties faced by the ‘keeper.
Perhaps a spell for England could help Pickford to regain his form, which in turn should be to Everton’s benefit.
