Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes Jordan Pickford has every reason to be disappointed after the Everton number one lost his place to James Trafford.
Pickford was left on the bench for England’s 3-2 Nations League defeat against Spain, with Thomas Tuchel giving Trafford his first competitive start. The England manager has insisted Pickford has done “absolutely nothing wrong”, but Robinson believes the decision raises questions over the 32-year-old’s position.
Robinson says ‘something amiss’ over Pickford decision
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Robinson pointed to Pickford’s record since establishing himself as England’s first-choice goalkeeper following his international debut in 2017.
“I wouldn’t be happy if it was me. I certainly wouldn’t be happy,” Robinson said.
“You know there’s something amiss, regardless of what the manager said publicly. In the first game after the World Cup, at home against Spain, he didn’t change the rest of the team, and there was no rotation.”
Robinson also questioned why Pickford would be left out for arguably England’s most demanding fixture of the international window if he remains Tuchel’s number one.
“If he is number one, then why is he not playing against the world champions?” he said.
The former Tottenham goalkeeper added that Pickford “hasn’t put a foot wrong in an England shirt”, with his argument centred on the consistency the Everton man has provided for his country.
Pickford has won 91 England caps and kept 46 clean sheets. He also became England’s record appearance-maker at World Cups this summer, overtaking Peter Shilton when he started the quarter-final victory over Norway.
Tuchel gives Trafford two-game opportunity
Tuchel explained that he wants to use the Nations League to assess Trafford, who has impressed since joining Leeds United.
The England manager said Trafford deserved two consecutive matches and confirmed Pickford would get the other two games during the current international window. Trafford is therefore set to retain his place against Czechia tonight before Pickford returns for the subsequent fixtures.
Robinson isn’t convinced by the decision to give Trafford the first two.
Pickford has been England’s established number one for the best part of a decade and started every game at this summer’s World Cup until being rested for the third-place play-off against France. Robinson believes he has every reason to question why he was left out for the toughest game of the four.
LIVE! Premier League 2026 / 27 News, Transfers, Updates & Viral Moments
Comments.
Loading comments…