Jordan Pickford has not usually been able to enjoy the best saves of his career. Stopping two penalties in the Euro 2020 final shoot-out against Italy last summer would have turned him into a national hero had England not missed three.
A gravity-defying leap against Colombia at the World Cup lost its afterglow when the South Americans scored from the resulting corner.
Now the England No1 is being lauded for an astonishing save in last Sunday’s 1-0 win against Chelsea, initially diving to his right as Mason Mount’s shot hit both posts and then changing direction twice at full speed to keep out Cesar Azpilicueta’s follow-up.
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has not usually been able to enjoy the best saves of his career
It could be career defining but only if Everton avoid relegation, which is in the balance as they play at Leicester on Sunday in the bottom three, albeit having played fewer games than their rivals.
‘I hope we can look back at the end of the season and that save has left a bit of a legacy,’ says Pickford.
‘It’s all about staying up. If we do, then I can reflect in five games time with a smile on my face and say it was up there as my most important save. I’d landed outside the post from Mason’s shot and had a look back because I thought it was going in. Then it’s hit the other post so I needed that quick reaction off the floor.
‘We knew Chelsea’s wing-backs like to get infield from a crossing position. That’s where [Cesar] Azpilicueta was. I was going back towards the other post but I read where he was going to shoot so I had to re-adjust my body and dive the other way.’
Pickford is being lauded for an astonishing save in last Sunday’s 1-0 win against Chelsea
As a follow-up, Pickford stopped an Antonio Rudiger shot with his face. ‘I’ve still got a headache now,’ he says with a smile. No wonder he allowed himself a ‘tranquillo’ round of golf the following day as a reward.
The 28-year-old has faced criticism throughout his career but England manager Gareth Southgate has always kept faith and now he is the key figure as Everton try to maintain the top-flight status they have held since 1954.
Their form under new boss Frank Lampard at Goodison Park gives them hope but on the road they have not won in the league since August. It makes the stakes incredibly high. Pickford has played in national occasions like a Euro 2020 final and World Cup semi-final and says the current adrenalin levels are the same.
‘Whether you are playing for a trophy or to get away from relegation, the way the heart is pumping is identical,’ he says. ‘You want the same outcome — to come out on top. That buzz is identical.
Pickford’s new maturity has seen him captain Everton for the first time this season
‘I was at Sunderland when we stayed up under Big Sam [Allardyce] even though Vito Mannone was first choice. It was a struggle but staying up felt like winning something.
‘You have to be in the moment. I know I like to be revved up but it is about keeping that emotion with a level head. I feel I have been a calm figure for the last 18 months.’ Sometimes camera close-ups would beg to differ. Pickford has an expressive face and always seems to be shouting but
