'I didn't like it': TalkSPORT pundit claims Jordan Pickford would never do what £17m Aston Villa star has done

By Sam Preston

TalkSPORT pundit Darren Ambrose says Jordan Pickford would not have replicated Emi Martinez’s antics during the World Cup final.

The Aston Villa goalkeeper is a national hero after saving Kingsley Coman’s effort in the shootout as Argentina beat France on Sunday.

He was doing all sorts to delay and put off France’s penalty takers and got a yellow card for his troubles, as Aurélien Tchouaméni also missed.

Ambrose had a strong view on what £17 million man Martinez did and claimed that his England counterpart Pickford would just back himself to save the penalties.

Ambrose on Pickford and Martinez

Ambrose said: “I didn’t like it whatsoever. I didn’t like it. I put that the same as diving. There’s gamesmanship, mind games but I think this is a form of cheating.

“It’s in a penalty shootout, a high pressure situation. I don’t think Pickford would do that. I think he’d back himself to save and he wouldn’t need to do that. He’s won the tournament for Argentina.

“He’s just produced a huge save in the last seconds of the game, back yourself. I don’t think you need to do all that. I thought it was cheating.

“It was (cheating) because he got booked. You’re not allowed to do that. Cheating is a strong word and it is a form of that. I just felt he should have backed himself.”

Interestingly, Pickford and Martinez have both been mooted as potential transfer targets for Tottenham as they look ahead to replacing French captain Hugo Lloris.

Antonio Conte seems the kind of manager who would admire the win at all costs attitude of the Argentina goalkeeper, who got the job done by any means necessary.

Pickford is good in shootouts too, and both goalkeepers are good enough to play in the Champions League having shone on the international stage.