Jordan Pickford found himself under fire once again during England’s 2-1 Nations League defeat to Greece at Wembley, with Roy Keane leading the charge of criticism.
England’s hopes for a draw seemed briefly revived when Jude Bellingham scored late, only for Greece’s Vangelis Pavlidis to dash those hopes with his second goal, securing a memorable victory for the visitors. From the outset, England’s defense looked shaky, with two offsides saving them from an early deficit. Levi Colwill’s heroic goalline clearance and a disallowed goal from Konstantinos Mavropanos gave Pickford moments of relief, but his performance remained erratic throughout the game.
During halftime, Roy Keane, never one to hold back, blasted Pickford’s display, particularly focusing on a moment where the Everton goalkeeper ventured far from his line and lost possession. Speaking on ITV, Keane said, “It sends a message about concentration levels, and that spreads throughout the team. Again, there’s a lack of urgency.” He went on to question Pickford’s judgment in that instance: “What’s he doing? Do it quickly. Brilliant defending from the team, but not a good message from Pickford to send.”
Ian Wright, also on ITV’s panel, echoed Keane’s sentiments, calling Pickford’s performance “very jittery” and noting how the keeper seemed “all over the place” in key moments.
Keane wasn’t done, adding, “That will always be there with Pickford. He’s not going to change now.”
This isn’t the first time Keane has been vocal about his concerns with Pickford. After Everton’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in May, Keane slammed Pickford on Sky Sports, saying, “Pickford for the goal… my goodness. He looks so small in there. There’s no spring, he’s not anticipating.” Keane also questioned his credentials as a top-tier goalkeeper after the match, dismissing the idea that Pickford could perform at the highest level.
Keane’s long-standing criticism dates back to at least 2020, when he ridiculed Pickford’s handling of a Bruno Fernandes shot in a 1-1 draw between Everton and Manchester United. “When people say the ball is moving, of course it’s going to move when someone kicks it,” Keane quipped at the time, before reiterating his belief that Pickford simply isn’t up to standard.
Keane’s sharp evaluations of Pickford’s performances may be harsh, but his criticisms reflect growing doubts about whether the England No. 1 can maintain the consistency required on the international stage.
