Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford hits out at pundits over criticism of his form

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Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has hit out at the increased level of scrutiny England internationals are put under, according to BBC.

Pickford made a blunder which allowed Crystal Palace to equalise in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace but had a message for the critics post-match.

He said: “Everyone hates you, for some reason, that’s part of being an England players. The press and everybody, the punters – look at Gary Neville – they just want to come for England players.

“Look at Joe Hart when he was number one. He got pelters every week. It’s looking after things on the pitch for Everton that is my main aim. That gets you picked for England.”

TBR’s View – England players have generally had it tough in the press

With young English players like Pickford, they tend to be on an upward trajectory until they make their international debut and then everything they do is judged by the standards of an England player.

Every mistake is framed that way and especially in a tournament season, every mistake is amplified and analysed to see if the England man is the right one to hold onto the shirt.

It’s been that way for years – Pickford referenced Hart, but it has been going on way before that as well. Unfortunately it seems to be part of the territory with the Three Lions, but it shouldn’t be as intense.

Gareth Southgate has worked a lot on removing the fear from the England shirt but perhaps the impact of the criticism his players receive through the season cannot be underestimated.

Pickford will know Dean Henderson is breathing down his neck in terms of being England’s number one this summer and as he says, he will work to block out the noise and improve his game.