The race to be England goalkeeper for this summer’s World Cup is well and truly on but it looks as if it is Everton stopper Jordan Pickford who has his nose in front as it stands.
He got the nod for Friday’s 1-0 victory against the Netherlands, which saw England outclass a team who went on to beat European Champions Portugal 3-0 on their own patch three days later and didn’t disappoint.
It is thought that the former Sunderland man, valued at £18m by Transfermarkt, was preferred because of his superior distribution, which nudges him ahead of Jack Butland in the pecking order.
Arsenal are one Premier League team who insist on a passing philosophy and need a goalkeeper who is good with his feet. Petr Cech has had an outstanding career but there are signs that the limbs are starting to creak slightly.
The Gunners have to have one eye on Cech’s long-term successor and one option that has been mooted is utilising the club’s growing German connection to procure Bernt Leno from Bayer Leverkusen.
Pickford could be another viable choice. Still only 24, he could be England’s established number one goalkeeper by the start of next season and has a bright future. So we’re asking you, should Pickford be Arsenal’s long-term glovesman? Let us know by voting in the poll below…