---
title: "Gareth Southgate Keeps Faith in Jordan Pickford as England Squad is Named"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/jordan-pickford-named-in-england-squad/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Jones"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2020-11-05T15:00:40Z"
modified: "2020-11-05T15:00:40Z"
---

# Gareth Southgate Keeps Faith in Jordan Pickford as England Squad is Named

Despite a number of [high-profile errors](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8803401/Jordan-Pickford-errors-leading-goals-keeper-arrived-Everton.html) and [controversies](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11671/12111126/virgil-van-dijk-jordan-pickford-really-sad-over-extent-of-liverpool-defenders-injury-says-carlo-ancelotti), England manager Gareth Southgate has retained his faith in [Jordan Pickford](https://readeverton.com/2020/11/04/robin-olsen-jordan-pickford-everton-2/).

The [26-cap](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jordan-pickford/nationalmannschaft/spieler/130164/verein_id/3299) Everton goalkeeper has been named in the Three Lions squad for their upcoming international fixtures, despite his relegation to the bench in the Toffees’ [2-1 weekend defeat away against Newcastle](https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2020/nov/01/newcastle-everton-premier-league-live). Burnley’s Nick Pope and Manchester United deputy Dean Henderson are the other ‘keepers in the squad for the games against Belgium and Ireland.

> Here it is… your [#ThreeLions](https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThreeLions?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) squad for our November internationals! ?
>
> — England (@England) [November 5, 2020](https://twitter.com/England/status/1324350763586396161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

With Pickford dropping down to the bench at St James’ Park, Swedish international Robin Olsen took his place in goal. The 30-year-old, who is on loan at Everton from Serie A giants AS Roma, made a [number of impressive saves](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/robin-olsen-everton-debut-newcastle-19203210) despite conceding two goals, one of which was a penalty.

Ancelotti [said](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/ancelotti-explains-reasoning-after-dropping-jordan-pickford) via Everton’s Twitter channel: “I just want to give @JPickford1 a rest for this game and to give an opportunity to Olsen, to have minutes. Jordan will be back for the next game against Manchester United.”

Pickford was [fortunate not to be suspended](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/pickford-escapes-retrospective-action) retrospectively after a horror challenge left Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk needing knee surgery in the 2-2 derby draw at Goodison Park last month.

The [furious backlash](https://readeverton.com/2020/10/28/everton-goalkeeper-hires-bodyguards-after-safety-fears/)as a result of the challenge was understandably concerning for the England international, who has [hired extra security](https://readeverton.com/2020/10/28/everton-goalkeeper-hires-bodyguards-after-safety-fears/) for his home and family as a result of the abuse and threats he endured on social media.

### Read Everton Verdict

This is a positive and sympathetic move by Southgate.

To drop Pickford from the England squad would do little in the way of improving Pickford’s confidence. A retention of faith internationally is to Pickford’s benefit as well as Everton; he can regain the limelight and prove himself in a less pressurised situation away from the club scene.

Indeed, the 26-year-old has enjoyed some memorable moments for the Three Lions, with Rio Ferdinand hailing his “[commanding](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/985436/Jordan-Pickford-England-Sweden-Rio-Ferdinand-World-Cup)” display in the World Cup quarter-final win over Sweden in 2018.

This is something Everton fans should celebrate; if Pickford performs well for England, it may enable him to put his recent troubles behind him.