Jordan Pickford Performs Brilliant And Scoreless At Euro 2020, Peter Shilton: He Controls Defensively, Keeps Defenders Calm

Jordan Pickford (Twitter @england)

JAKARTA - Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has managed to answer all the question marks directed at him after he was trusted by England coach Gareth Southgate as the first choice in Euro 2020.

Pickford's brilliant saves ensured the Three Lions were the only team to reach the quarter-finals with a clean sheet and he won praise from England's legendary goalkeeper, Peter Shilton.

"He can control the defence, keep them calm. He is very crucial, sometimes coming out of the nest punching the ball," said Shilton quoted by Reuters on Friday.

"All that gave me the impression that he was in control of his appearance," he added.

This contribution is likely to make Pickford the first name Southgate listed in the England line-up for the quarter-final match against Ukraine in Rome, Saturday, July 3 tomorrow.

Pickford was crucial as he helped England beat Germany 2-0 in the last 16, with two saves from Timo Werner and Kai Havertz and intimidating Thomas Mueller in one-on-one situations.

"It was a good game for me, I was at the right level, the level to reach for England and I felt I was there, making the saves I had to make," said Pickford, who went on to credit his team-mates as well.

"But it's not just my work, it's an eleven man game and everyone is working hard to keep a clean sheet, in the tournament that is key."

In the quarter-final match later, Pickford even had the opportunity to make history, surpassing the four goalless matches recorded by Gordon Banks at the 1966 World Cup.

Jordan Pickford. That's all. pic.twitter.com/BKSqEuwXWg

— England (@England) June 29, 2021

Regardless of being able to achieve it or not, Pickford has answered doubts over his status as England's main goalkeeper who has always emerged because of his various blunders at Everton.

In November, Pickford was even knocked out of Carlo Ancelotti's first-choice at Everton as Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope's rise to fame led to speculation that Pickford would lose his place in England as well.

Pope's injury ahead of the main round of Euro 2020 makes Pickford Southgate's first choice.

And just like the case of Raheem Sterling who answered criticism, Southgate's choice is also right with Pickford who so far has not shown a decline in performance at Euro 2020.

"You have to be ready to face criticism as a footballer, let alone England. It's all about maturing day by day and being the best version of yourself," said Pickford.

We'll have a single minute's first-half stoppage time here at @wembleystadium. pic.twitter.com/Mu806xdkAO

— England (@England) June 29, 2021

"Having kids helped a lot. It changed my life. Now I'm 27 years old, playing more games and throughout my career that number will continue to grow.

"Every day is a lesson, a lot of new things to learn in training sessions and at home," he concluded.