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Jordan Pickford Is The Hero We Need And The One We Deserve

Jordan Pickford Is The Hero We Need And The One We Deserve

After years of England goalkeepers messing up at the wrong time Pickford has been a welcome change of pace at the World Cup.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

There was a time not that long ago that some people thought Joe Hart should still be England's number one, even on the eve of the World Cup many felt Jordan Pickford wasn't the right man- how wrong they were.

England have had good goalkeepers for as long as most of us can remember, David Seaman, Nigel Martyn, Paul Robinson, even Joe Hart for a time, were some of the headliners.

But no matter who was in net, and there was also some dodgier examples in the mould of David James, Rob Green, Scott Carson and a latter day Hart, someone always made a mistake in a big game.

From Seaman missing Ronaldinho's free kick, Robinson missing the back pass against Croatia in 2007, Carson's own error against Croatia in the same year, Green letting USA score in 2010 and Hart's misery in 2016 there always seems to be something.

Heading into this year's World Cup it wasn't till very late that Jordan Pickford was named as Gareth Southgate's number one but thank god he did.

Pickford pulled off a miraculous save in the second round against Colombia and then made a huge save in the shoot-out to help take England through to the quarter finals.

Pickford makes two incredible saves vs Sweden. Images: PA Images
Pickford makes two incredible saves vs Sweden. Images: PA Images

In the last eight against Sweden the Everton goalie was on incredible form as he made three top class saves in the second half.

After a quiet first 45 minutes he saved a header from Marcus Berg, low down to his left with the ball going well clear from the area.

Later he saved from Viktor Claesson as the Swede's shot was parried before Jordan Henderson got in the way of the follow up.

Finally the 24 year old once again stopped Berg taking the game into a nervy finish as he got a touch on a close range shot to tip it over the bar and really cement himself as the Three Lions hero.







The former Sunderland goalie had had two great seasons in the Premier League and was mainly picked as Southgate's number one because of his ability to play the ball out.

It's now looking like the best decision that the England manager has made, now we just need Pickford to bring it home!

Featured Image Credit:

Topics:ย Football News, World Cup news, England, Jordan Pickford, World Cup, Sweden

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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@Sidler28