Sam Allardyce full of praise for Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford

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Sam Allardyce picked the best XI players he ever managed on TalkSPORT’s Alan Brazil Breakfast Show this morning (05/02/18, 09:52). The former England manager stuck exclusively to players he managed in his club career and, perhaps surprisingly, included an Everton player between the sticks.

He chose Jordan Pickford ahead of the likes of Jussi Jaaskelainen, Paul Robinson and Shay Given. Big Sam worked with the stopper at both Sunderland and Everton and had this to say about his decision.

“Top drawer. From first laying eyes on him at Preston North End when he was on loan. We brought him back in at Sunderland to get him a few games in the first-team, get him ready for it.

“Then he played consistently for Moyes in the season after and Everton paid £30 million for him and he got in the England side.

“Played in the World Cup and he’s (only) 23. He well deserves his position.”

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TBR’s View

Undoubtedly, it has been a tough season for Pickford so far. The stopper came off the back of a great World Cup with some good form but showed an erratic side to his game ever since the costly error against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.

But Everton fans cannot forget he was probably the club’s best player last season and, as Allardyce pointed out, is still extremely young for a goalkeeper.

If he can iron out the mistakes from his game and stop giving possession away by overusing his long-kick party-piece the Pickford will surely become an Everton great.