England manager Thomas Tuchel's decision to start James Trafford in goal has reignited the debate over Jordan Pickford's international future. The Everton goalkeeper watched from the bench as England lost 3-2 to Spain at Wembley on Saturday, with the Leeds United stopper selected due to his fine early-season form. Tuchel confirmed Trafford will also play against Czechia on Tuesday, placing Pickford's status as the established number one under fresh scrutiny. Pickford, who has been England's first-choice goalkeeper since 2016, is expected to return for the subsequent matches against Croatia and the reverse fixture with Czechia later in the international break. The 32-year-old has earned 91 caps and featured in two World Cup semi-finals and two European Championship final defeats, underlining his decade of service. A telling statistic shows that since his 2017 debut, England have conceded three goals in a match on six occasions, with Pickford starting in only one of those games. His consistent presence for club and country, often amid external criticism, is a point of pride for Everton supporters who have long recognised his quality. Back at Goodison Park, Pickford's contributions have been central to a strong start. Everton sit seventh in the Premier League with nine points from five games, claiming one of the division's tightest defences. They have conceded just three league goals this season, with Pickford keeping three clean sheets. His individual metrics are impressive, averaging three saves per game with an 83.3% save rate and a 62.9% pass completion rate. This solid foundation has helped Sean Dyche's side remain unbeaten, with recent wins over Ipswich Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers. You can review the team's upcoming schedule on our fixtures page. The debate over England's goalkeeping hierarchy comes as Everton prepare for their next challenge, an away trip to face Hull City on October 11. Hull currently sit one place below the Toffees in eighth, setting up a closely contested encounter. Everton will be aiming to extend their two-game winning run and a five-match unbeaten streak in the league. For the latest squad news ahead of that match, visit our squad section. While some suggest it is inevitable that the younger Trafford will eventually take over, the idea that Pickford should be moved aside now appears premature. The Everton stalwart has built a career on resilience and is not expected to relinquish his place without a fight, starting with his anticipated return to the England lineup next week.
This story first appeared at Goodison News
