Jordan Pickford: Marco Silva vows to stick by Everton goalkeeper despite mistakes - (2021)

Categories: Football | Published by: AC

26/12/2018

Updated: 20/10/2021

Marco Silva insists that all of his Everton players must take responsibility for their recent poor form and will not single out Jordan Pickford.

Pickford, 24, established himself as one of the most sought-after young goalkeepers in the world after starring for England in the World Cup, but in recent weeks has been culpable of some howlers that have cost his side.

Early in December, he spilled a late shot against bitter rivals Liverpool to hand them a stoppage time winner in the Merseyside derby, then against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday he ran from goal and collided with team-mate Kurt Zouma to gift Son Heung-min the first of six goals they conceded that evening.

A communication error saw Pickford clash with Everton teammate Kurt Zouma (Getty Images)

Such has been Pickford’s rise, and securing a place as Gareth Southgate’s No 1 in the national team, Manchester United have made initial enquiries about lining him up as David De Gea’s replacement, should the Spaniard leave Old Trafford.

Yet even though his high-profile mistakes are a growing concern and proving costly, his manager refused to place the blame solely on Pickford for Everton’s recent difficulties. The mistake against Liverpool cost them a point and Son’s goal for Spurs came when Everton were ahead in the match, and they capitulated thereafter.

‘We have to show character'

“I don’t want to individualise just on Jordan,” Silva said. “I know and understand it was a key moment in the match, our team was really good, was competing and was there, but it was not just because we made a mistake or one of our players made a mistake. Everything cannot change like it changed during the match because we have to show personality, we have to show character during the match.

“I am not saying we didn’t show but as a team we didn’t do enough to keep fighting for a different result. What we will do with Jordan we will keep do with the others, we have to change the situation as a team and not just with one or two players.”