David James believes some of the criticism levelled against Jordan Pickford this season has been 'unfounded' and the Everton man has shown he is as good as Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Everton have been indebted to the brilliance of Pickford this season, with his impressive displays playing a major role in his side being able to avoid the drop. The England international made a string of impressive stops against Chelsea and Leicester towards the end of the season, as his side picked up six precious points in the process.
Pickford's lightning-quick reactions and intelligent footwork drew praise after he pulled off the seemingly impossible stop to deny Cesar Azpilicueta. Then, a week later against Leicester, the former Sunderland man denied Harvey Barnes with a stunning close-range save.
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However, those impressive performances from Pickford haven’t prevented pundits from taking aim at him during the campaign. But James, speaking exclusively to the ECHO via Genting Casino, has rebuffed the criticism issued towards Pickford, and issued a firm defence of the Everton star.
He said: “There isn’t a question. What I would say is that I have been defending Jordan Pickford, when I can. I say when I can, I mean when people have asked me about him, I have been defending him all season.
“I think a lot of the criticism is unfounded. It is that England No.1 position where you are just an open target for people.
“I have been defending him on the basis that what he has been doing for Everton isn’t necessarily impacting on what he does for England.
"He is playing for Everton, a team that is fighting relegation, and he was as good as Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Euro final. In that campaign he was outstanding.
"So for England, Jordan Pickford has been exceptional. There isn’t even a question. What he has done in the last few weeks, I am not surprised because he is capable, but that doesn't mean it secures his place for England, the two have to be detached.”
While the former Premier League goalkeeper believes Everton boss Frank Lampard must construct a side next season that will prevent Pickford from being called into action as much as he has this season.
“Everton’s season has been underpinned by lots of opportunities for the opposition,” the former England international continued.
"So Frank needs to sort out what is going on in front, so Jordan Pickford isn’t having to pull out those match winning performances.
“Frank needs to put a team in front of him which allows Everton to be challenging for better things than penultimate day survival.”
