Does Marco Silva need to drop Jordan Pickford to regain Everton form?

By Sam Leveridge

Everton’s form has dropped substantially in recent weeks, picking up just two points in December to date. That has tied in perfectly with a sharp drop in form from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Having conceded two or more just three times in three months going into the final month of 2018, each of Everton’s last three outings have seen two or more goals conceded, with the 13 goals let in so far this month, compared to 16 from August through to November.

That has led to question marks over the role of England’s number one, Pickford, after he made yet another costly error against Tottenham to allow Heung Min Son to score, with another two goals going straight through his legs.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: Divock Origi of Liverpool shoots and misses hitting the crossbar as Jordan Pickford of Everton reaches for the ball during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC at Anfield on December 02, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

There can be little debate that Pickford has lost his form and much of his swagger after an impressive World Cup campaign in the summer. Ever since a last gasp error against Liverpool at Anfield gifted the Reds a Merseyside Derby win, he has not been the same.

Yet, a dose of realism is required. In December, the Toffees have faced the Premier League’s top three in three of their five fixtures, two of them away from home.

With Burnley, Brighton & Hove Albion, Leicester, Bournemouth, Southampton and Huddersfield the next sides to play, it is clear that the fixture list will get easier on Marco Silva’s team.

As such, dropping Pickford seems an unnecessary overreaction a blip in his form at present, though it is clear that improvements are needed and Maarten Stekelenburg may well get a chance to stake his claim against Lincoln City in the FA Cup.