Gary Neville baffled by Jamie Carragher as he picks out Everton star Jordan Pickford
Gary Neville was left baffled as Jamie Carragher named Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in his Premier League Team of the Season on Sky Sports.
Neville had chosen Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, who Carragher had also been leaning towards before a last-minute change of heart.
Carragher defended his decision, citing Pickford’s clean sheet numbers and set-piece threat.
Speaking on Sky Sports (13 May), Carragher said: “It was a toss-up between the two [Emiliano Martinez and Pickford].
“Jordan Pickford’s got the most clean sheets behind [David] Raya. I mean, he’s playing for a team fighting relegation and he’s got the [second-most] clean sheets. How many goals does he create, Jordan Pickford, from his free-kicks on the halfway line?
“It was a toss-up. Listen, you can’t take that mistake out tonight [from Martinez against Liverpool]. That was horrific. He was at fault for the second goal as well.”
However, Neville refused to agree, saying: “He doesn’t even believe what he’s saying, honestly.
“You’re walking in mud here, you’re walking in mud.”
Does Everton star Jordan Pickford deserve to be in the Premier League Team of the Season?
Amid Everton’s struggles at the bottom end of the Premier League table, it is easy to forget how good the Toffees have been defensively this season.
They remain one of just four clubs – alongside title-chasing pair Arsenal and Manchester City, as well as Liverpool – to have conceded less than 50 goals in the league this term. In fact, the third-placed Reds have shipped just eight goals fewer than Everton’s 49 despite their lofty position in the table.
Pickford has been key to that defensive solidity, boasting a goals prevented tally of 2.09 – the fifth-most of any goalkeeper in the division [FotMob].
The England international is also prolific with passes over a great distance, recording an impressive 393 accurate long balls.
Few goalkeepers in the division are as key to their side’s chance creation, with Sean Dyche’s side employing an aggressive approach to set-pieces – even those won in deeper positions around the halfway line.
Pickford is certainly a worthy contender for a spot in the Premier League Team of the Season.
In other Everton news, an administration update has emerged in positive news from Goodison Park.
For more Everton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.