- The feisty goalkeeper has now become an expert at controlling his emotions
He has come to represent chaos and hyperactivity, the rave-loving goalkeeper who makes frogs in a box look sober. In reality, Jordan Pickford is England’s greatest exponent of control.
Do not underestimate the intelligence of a keeper who has saved four shootout penalties at major tournaments from the 14 he has faced. Between 1990 and 2012, his predecessors kept out just two of 36.
England reaching the last four of Euro 2024 makes little sense. But if FA chiefs are lobbied on doing away with extra-time and going straight to a shootout, they should vote yes as long as Pickford is in goal.
Even in the 119th minute, when Gareth Southgate had made changes in anticipation of penalties, he had forgotten they still had to get there.
It was Pickford’s block from Zeki Amdouni that ensured passage to the arena where you have confidence in this group.
That is because of the surety of the takers, of course, but more so because of Pickford.
He plays the pantomime villain, but with Machiavellian intent. The shootout is his stage and he is the director.
There is the water bottle ‘cheat sheet’. Yet this is not cheating, it is good preparation, marginal gains. He pushed off for his dive to keep out Manuel Akanji’s penalty 24 hours earlier.
Pickford is dynamic, intimidating and imposing. Compare that to Peter Shilton against West Germany in 1990, who dived the right way every time but was soundly beaten. Even David Seaman, again versus the Germans six years later, did not influence the situation the way Pickford does.
They say goalkeepers are mad, but Pickford’s is measured insanity. He has learnt to use his oddity to the betterment of his game.
He began working with a psychologist four years ago at Everton. Now, it is him getting inside the minds of others.
The reputation sticks. But speak to those who know him best, and Everton fans, and they will tell you he has grown into a mature, calming presence.
Southgate chose to have Pickford by his side when facing the media in Dusseldorf on Friday. Only a select band join the manager in that domain. But that is Pickford now, a grown-up on whom England can depend. Of all the concerns about performance, his has not been one. There is a case for him being England’s most consistent player.
He is this country’s most decorated goalkeeper since Gordon Banks. Give it another week and he could move alongside him.
Penalties are not a lottery, you see. But if we must abide by that, at least England have a winning ticket in Pickford.